Historical Survey of the Notion of Common Good

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

What happens to a society that does not promote common good? Most probably, it will fall and be chaotic -a very disordered society. This situation could be a reality if people do not support what is good for all. Various appeals to uphold the common good have surfaced in various discussions in our society today. Issues such as business social responsibilities, educational reforms, environmental stability, eradication of graft and corruption, poverty alleviation, and the like have been raised in various symposia. It aims to present philosophical notion of common good according to philosophers and how it was developed from ancient until contemporary period.

METHODS

The method used in this research is purely historical survey, the method which the researcher considers useful in his attempt to delve more deeply into the topic. This is a qualitative data giving emphasis on the different views on the notion of common good of different philosophers from ancient period, medieval period, modern period and contemporary period such as Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau and Antonio Rosmini.

RESULTS

The notion of common good is a combination of ethical and political philosophy. It is a political because it deals with the organization of society, and it is ethical because it deals with the attainment of good. The notion of common good gives an understanding about what is good for the society and its members. Even though these philosophers have their own views about the common good, they still agreed on the fact that the notion of common good is for the good of the society (good for all).

DISCUSSIONS

The common good depends on the image and structure of society and the kind of period. The notion of common good in ancient period includes their society specifically in the city-state and their views about common good and how to attain it. The second part is the Medieval Period. It gives emphasis on the philosophical preoccupation with God. They used the highest good (Supreme Being) as common good. The third part is the Modern Period. These philosophers focuses on the social contract as means of common good. The Contemporary Period, namely, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Antonio Rosmini, and Jacques Maritain focused on the current notion that is relevant in our society today and its connection to contemporary world and it was posited as existing above all to provide for the rights, general will, and democracy of the people.