COMMON GOOD APPROACH

“ What is ethical is what advances the common good.”

--presents a vision of society where:Members of community are joined in pursuit

of their common values and goals.Community is comprised of individuals whose

good is inextricably bound by the good of the whole.

Theory Definition cont’d.

He Defines ‘Good’ as “that which preserves, or enlarges and perfects, the Faculties of any one thing, or of several”

Richard Cumberland(1631-1718)

Includes both happiness and perfectionDevelopment of faculty

Inseparable elements in the Good

Richard Cumberland

His conclusion:Best method of securing it is that of benevolence

Regard for the common goodAs opposed to selfish preoccupation with our own individual

interests

Richard Cumberland

“That the good of all rational beings is greater than the like good of any part of that aggregate body, that is, that it is truly the greatest good.”

Repeatedly Points Out

“That in promoting the good of this whole aggregate, the good of the individuals is contained and promoted.”

Repeatedly Points Out

“That the good of every particular part requires the introducing and settling of distinct property in such things, and such services of rational agents, as contribute to the common good.”

Repeatedly Points Out

His philosophy was marked by the usage of dialectic.Belief in the capability of the human mind to

obtain the truthHe believed conflicting interests of different

parts of society can be harmonized.

Plato

Characteristics of a good political societyJusticeWisdomModerationCourage

1) Takes away individual rights and freedoms2) Doesn’t take into consideration rules of law,

multiple party systems, elections

Criticisms of Common Good Approach

AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE!!!The United States, to its shame, has some 45

million people without health insurance and many more millions who have poor coverage.

Ethical Dilema

Ethical DilemaFoodClothingHealthcareMeaningful workEducation

MedicaidMedicareWelfare

In general, the common good consists of all the conditions of society and the goods secured by those conditions, which allow individuals to achieve human and spiritual flourishing.

IN CONCLUSION

1) Does the common good apply to every situation?

2) Who decides the common good for the masses/majority?

3) Can the common good be agreed upon?

Questions