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Here's where you're dropping the ball and missing the connection... who, exactly, decides what the "common good" is?
I'm not dropping the ball. The "common good" has an accepted definition. Even your own link supplied a contemporary definition. YOU are trying to change that definition. And you have no need to do so. You could take "democracy" to task all day long. You could take "the will of the majority" to task. But in terms of this thread, the definition I've been using, the definition YOU supplied in YOUR LINK, is the topic. By trying to use "democracy" as interchangeable with "common good" all you've attempted to do was to obfuscate the topic of this thread. And I've simply shed light on that attempt.
A theoretically ideal definition which is not met in practice, which is exactly what the article goes on to explain.
I'll ask again, because you have not answered... who, exactly, decides what the "common good" is?
This is a good question in terms of the topic. It needs to be pointed out that it has nothing to do with GNT's post or your defense of it.
"Common good" is an ideal. We aspire to ideals. And in that sense, no one "decides" what the common good is, we understand what the common good is. What we debate is the best way to achieve that goal. I think that that is your question, how do we determine the best way to achieve the ideal of the "common good"? And the answer is that we employ a number of strategies. For instance, having a well-educated population is a "common good". Does anyone think that it's a common good to have poorly educated and uninformed populations? Even a dictator would concede that while it may be to his benefit to have a poorly educated and uninformed population, that it's not a "common good". Achieving that "common good" is the challenge. We would agree that having no homeless people, that every person have shelter is a "common good". Achieving that "common good" is the challenge. We would agree that having freedom and liberty is a "common good." We would agree that having recourse in the face of injustice is a "common good." Eliminating hunger, a "common good." Ending war, a "common good."
Are there specific issues where you think there is disagreement over what is a "common good"? What we aspire to, the "common good", is something we rarely attain. But the debates, in my opinion, tend to be about the paths we choose to follow in those aspirations.
This is a good question in terms of the topic. It needs to be pointed out that it has nothing to do with GNT's post or your defense of it.
Yes, it most certainly does. The question of who, exactly, decides what the "common good" is is directly related to GNT's analogy.
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"Common good" is an ideal. We aspire to ideals. And in that sense, no one "decides" what the common good is, we understand what the common good is.
I disagree. There is no 'understanding' of what the common good is. Given the plurality of our society, there is no universally shared understanding of what, exactly, constitutes the "common good."
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We would agree that having no homeless people, that every person have shelter is a "common good".
Humanitarian? Yes. A "common good?" Doubtful. Not everyone benefits equally from providing shelter only for the homeless.
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Are there specific issues where you think there is disagreement over what is a "common good"?
Yes. Taking from one group to benefit exclusively another (such as, but not limited to, the homeless shelter example of the "common good" you provide above) does not meet the ideal definition of the "common good." It does, however, match up perfectly with GNT's analogy, in which a majority can vote themselves an advantage borne at others' forced sacrifice in the name of the "common good."
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Originally Posted by GuyNTexas
The common good, like democracy is nothing more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what is for dinner.
Yes, it most certainly does. The question of who, exactly, decides what the "common good" is is directly related to GNT's analogy.
I disagree. There is no 'understanding' of what the common good is. Given the plurality of our society, there is no universally shared understanding of what, exactly, constitutes the "common good."
How about, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness for all individuals.
I think a it's timely and well done article. This isn't a rehash of anything--our world is smaller than it's ever been, and more interrelated--when you make choices from an entirely personal perspective, the chance is greater than ever before that it will impact others.
I take it you are for ditching the Constitution which is premised upon a social compact that reflects enlightened self interest.
In my eyes, an example of common good is the provisions in our constitution prohibiting the establishment of a religion in the government. If the issue had been decided democraticly, we'd all be christians by a majority vote. But common good dictates that no one religion be endorsed by government over the other and insures the rights of the minority "sheep" if you will. It seems that the whole bill of rights is a document that speaks from the position of common good, rather than the democratic principle of majority rule. Am I way off base here?
In my eyes, an example of common good is the provisions in our constitution prohibiting the establishment of a religion in the government. If the issue had been decided democraticly, we'd all be christians by a majority vote. But common good dictates that no one religion be endorsed by government over the other and insures the rights of the minority "sheep" if you will. It seems that the whole bill of rights is a document that speaks from the position of common good, rather than the democratic principle of majority rule. Am I way off base here?
You're on base.
Don't let anyone push you off.
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"A Growing 'Social Psychosis' Clashes With Serving The Common Good"
