COMMON GOOD

We face a choice between a society where people accept modest sacrifices for common good or a more contentious society where groups selfishly protect their on benefits.

contentious [ kn tnshss ]

1. creating disagreement: causing or likely to cause disagreement and disputes between people with differing views
2. argumentative: frequently engaging in and seeming to enjoy arguments and disputes

Robert J. Samuelson, Opinion Writer

Smooth Refreshing H2O

You are holding your favorite drink on a hot summer day: an ice-cold bottle of water from the Commissary. It is a hot day and you enjoy the smooth, refreshing feeling the water gives you. You go for one more cool gulp and see it is empty! Ugh!

What do you do with the bottle?

A. Throw it on the ground

B. Put it in the trash can C. Recycle it

A. Throw it on the ground

Boooo! According to law, you may be subject to a fine. Why?

Selfish Individualist

B. Put it in the trash can

What is the common good? What is happening here?

Selfish Individualist

GROSS!!!

C. Recycle
Yeah! You are making a decision for the common good of our environment.

What exactly is Common Good?

Something that benefits all people
Where is it in the Preamble?
What are some other examples, like recycling, that could fit into this category?

We the people of the United States of America, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Your Task
Read

the article The Common Good in your packet

Developed by Manuel Velasquez, Claire Andre, Thomas Shanks, S..J., and Michael J. Meyer This article first appeared originally in issues in Ethics V5 N2 (Spring 1992)

http:www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/commongood.html

Highlight
Thesis statement and main ideas in Yellow Supporting ideas in Green

Specific examples in Red