Learning Plan 5 Shelly Bath, Julie Meyer, Tina Ruane, Jason Randall November 4, 2008
What is the common-good approach?? Individuals own good is inextricably bound to the good of the whole.
Common-Good Examples Affordable healthcare Effective Public Safety Peace among nations A just legal system Unpolluted Environment
Original Founders Plato Aristotle Cicero
Plato Philosophy is marked by Dialectic Cognitive Optimism
Aristotle First to create comprehensive system of Western philosophy. Morality Aesthetics Logic and science Politics and metaphysics
Cicero Used philosophy to bring about political goals
John Rawls Certain general conditions that are… Equally to everyone’s advantages Contributions Liberal political philosophy Justice as fairness A theory of Justice
Criticisms/Problems “Free-rider” Taking benefits the common good provides Refusing to support common good themselves
Individualism Individual freedom Personal insights “Do their own thing”
Unequal sharing of burdens Some individuals/groups bear greater cost Unjust to those bearing greater cost
Appeals to Common-Good Should not be dismissed Urge us to reflect The society we want to become How we will achieve that society
Challenges us View ourselves as members of the same community Respect and value the freedom of individuals Further those goals we share in common
Affordable Health Care Current ethical dilemma No insurance- 50 million Americans Underinsured-25 million Americans Limits on coverage Rising health care premiums
Questions How does the up coming election affect the common good of all? How does the common good approach affect us as students?