Of the three, dilectio proximi or caritas[b] is perceived as the most fundamental, to which the first two are oriented, which she treats under vita socialis (social life).

The second of the Great Commandments (or Golden Rule) "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" uniting and transcending the former.

For instance, she introduced the concept of Natalität (Natality) as a key condition of human existence and its role in the development of the individual.

She made clear, in her revisions to the English translation, through explicit reference, that it was "natality" that she was introducing,[3][8][9] and would develop further in The Human Condition (1958).

[10][11] Although she did not specifically use the word Natalität in the original German version, she explained that the construct of natality was implied in her discussion of new beginnings and man's elation to the Creator as nova creatura.