Common Good Approach

1. Common Good Approach Cody Kyle Matt Louis Jennifer

2. Common Good / Communal Approach • Summary; • The common good, or Communal Approach Theory, describes a specific “good” that is shared and beneficial for all (or most) members of a given community /society. • Consideration and decisions are made to benefit the majority, not the individual.

3. Saint Thomas Aquinas • Also known as Thomas of Aquin or Aquino • born 1225 died March 7th, 1274 • Priest of the Roman Catholic • Italian • Model for those studying for the priesthood. • One of the 33 Doctors of the Church

4. Saint Thomas Aquinas Contributions • Revelation-Aquinas believed that truth is known through reason and faith • Helped define what is good and how man can achieve good.

5. Aristotle • Born 384 BC died 322 BC • Greek philosopher • A student of Plato • Teacher of Alexander the Great. • His Writings: • Physics • Logic • Politics • Ethics

6. Aristotle's Contributions • injustice stands in the way of the common good. • Motivations of injustice: • Money • Honor • Power • Desires • Leads us to wonder what the political conditions are for the common good.

7. John Locke • Born August 29th, 1632 and died October 28th, 1704 • English physician • Philosopher • regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers

8. John Locke’s Contributions • Laws could only be legitimate if they sought to achieve the common good.

9. Plato • Born 427 BCand died 348 • Greek philosopher • Mathematician • Writer

10. Plato’s Contributions • Personal Interest takes away from the common good. • Examples: • Money • Private Property • Family

11. Adam Smith • Born June 16th 1723, died July 17th, 1790 • Scottish • Pioneer of political economy • Key figure of Scottish Enlightment

12. Adam Smith’s Contributions • Pursuit of self interest hurts the common good • Every action has a counter action.

13. Criticisms • There is no strict definition of the common good for each situation • The good that is common between person A and person B may not be the same as between person A and person C • Thus the common good can often change

14. Criticisms • Karl Popper, ChristophFehige and Clark Wolf argue that negative utilitarianism is more effective • Promotes the least amount of evil or harm for the greatest number of people • The greatest harms are more consequential than the greatest goods

15. Comparisons • Individualistic Approach vs. Communal Approach • Both incorporate a different view of moral responsibility • Present different ethical principles to resolve ethical problems

16. Individualistic Approach • Ethics in organizations reflect this approach • Every person is morally responsible for his/her behaviors • Efforts to change behavior should focus on the individual

17. Communal Approach • Individuals are not viewed in isolation • Everyone is a member of the community • Every is partially responsible for others’ behaviors • Understanding and changing an individual would mean understanding and changing the community

18. Alcoholic-Impaired Parenting Functions • Inconsistent • Unpredictable • Lacking in clear rules and limits • Chaotic parenting • Poor home environment • High levels of family conflict

19. Common Good Approach with Alcoholic Parents • Behavioral and academic difficulties • Negative self-concepts • Fearfulness • Loneliness • Difficulties in concentrating • Attendance • Work completion

20. Common Good Approach with Alcoholic Parents • Being an alcoholic has lifelong affects on your mental and physical health. • Has a heavy affect on your children and are more than likely to, “follow in your footsteps”. • Living the lifestyle of an alcoholic is a selfish decision and is not a Common Good approach at life.

21. “. . . this is the first precept of the law, that good is to be done and promoted, and evil is to be avoided. All other precepts of the natural law are based on this . . .” Quote from Thomas Aquinas

22. Review Questions • Can anyone provide an example of the “Common Good” approach? • Who were the main developers of the “Common Good” approach? • What is a main criticism of the “Common Good” approach? • What Student of Plato Argued that injustices stand in the way of the common good?

23. Any Questions