L E A R N I N G P L A N 5 – E T H I C A L T H E O R I E S P R E S E N TAT I O N

C H E L SE A C H R I ST I EK E I T H J E N SE N

S A R A H VA N B E R K E LA S H L E Y SC H W I N D

O C T O B E R 2 0 T H , 2 0 0 9

Common Good Approach

THIS APPROACH ASSUMES A SOCIETY WITH INDIVIDUALS

WHOSE OWN GOOD IS LINKED TO THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY.

Common Good Approach Summary

Summary continued…

Community members are bound by the pursuit of common values and goals.

Summary continued…

For the benefit of the community, this approach focuses on ensuring:

• Social Policies• Social Systems• Institutions• Environment

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Examples of goods common to all include:• Affordable

healthcare• Effective public

safety• Peace among

nations• A just legal system• Unpolluted

environment

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View ourselves as members of the same community

Reflect on questions concerning society

Discuss how to achieve that society

This urges us to…

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To achieve a common good one must respect and value the freedom of individuals to pursue their own

goals.

This approach challenges people to recognize and further the goals

they have in common.

MORE THAN 2,000 YEARS AGO THIS APPROACH ORIGINATED IN THE WRITINGS OF PLATO,

ARISTOTLE, AND CICERO.

Influences on the Development of the Common

Good Approach

Influences continued…

Plato did this by assuming

certain states of being were

good by nature and that human

kind could come to know at least part of

that good.

For example, Plato

developed an ideal that generated political

agreement that produced

unity.

John Rawls defined the Common Good as…

Influences continued…

“Certain general conditions that are…

Equally to everyone’s advantage.”

INDIVIDUALISM“FREE-RIDER PROBLEM”

PLURALISTIC SOCIETY

Criticism of the Common Good Approach

Individualism

Personal rightsHistorical traditionsIndividual freedomIndividual goals &

interests

Criticisms continued…

“Free-rider problem”

Available to everyone

even those who don’t do

their part.

Enough “Free-riders”

=Common Good will

be destroyed

Criticisms continued…

Pluralistic society

Different people have

different ideas.

Impossible to agree on one social

system.

Criticisms continued…

POLLUTION

Application of Common Good Approach

Application continued…

How is the common good of society affected by

pollution?

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Pollution affects not only humans but the whole ecosystem

Health risks• Cancer• Physical

deformities• Reduced

energy levels

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Environmental Risks

Soil pollutionDisrupt photosynthesisAcid rainOzone holesWater pollution

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From a common good approach we as a

society are linked to the good of the

community. If we reduce pollution the

WORLDas a whole would

benefit.

1. HOW COULD YOU SEE YOURSELF USING THE COMMON GOOD APPROACH IN YOUR OWN LIFE?

2. IS THE COMMON GOOD APPROACH PRACTICAL IN TODAY’S PREDICAMENTS?

3. ARE THERE ANY OTHER CRITICISMS AGAINST THE COMMON GOOD APPROACH?

Review Questions