The common good can be understood as an end or goal of society.
The general meaning of the concept of common good refers to that which can be taken advantage of or used by all people . In other words: all individuals in a community can obtain benefits from a common good.
Based on this idea, the notion is used with different nuances or scope in different areas. For philosophy , common goods are shared by the members of a society, who benefit from them. These are not only physical goods, but also symbolic or abstract goods.
The common good as an end
The common good, in this sense, is also an end of society . The State , as the governing body, has to protect and promote the common good since it results in benefits for the inhabitants. The social conditions that guarantee freedom, justice and peace and the equitable distribution of essential material goods are part of the common good.
It should be noted that the common good is not formed by the sum of the assets of each individual. The common good is indivisible and can only be achieved and increased through the collaboration of the various members of the community.
Philosophical characteristics
Within the philosophy we have to highlight that a series of essential characteristics of the so-called common good are established. Specifically, among the most significant we can highlight the following:
-It is something objective.
-Sometimes, it can be confused with what quality of life or well-being is. However, they are different things. Thus, these two terms come to refer to what is the objective or goal of society but from the point of view of the autonomous individual.
-It is aimed at satisfying the progress of individuals and for that, among other things, it must be based on truth and justice.
-It is linked in an intimate and clear way to what human nature is.
-Starting from the fact that the common good is totally opposed to private interest, it is considered that it binds the State. That is, this means that public powers must, therefore, act in such a way that they seek to achieve that goal. In the same way, therefore, it can be said that the very reason for the aforementioned public powers is the common good.
-In the same way, the fact that it comes to encompass man in his entirety stands out. That is, you must aim to encompass both your demands on a spiritual and physical level.
-Among the set of characteristics that stand out of the common good is also that it binds the citizen.
Sunlight is a common good: it is freely available and cannot be privatized.
Common good in the economy
In the field of economics , the common good can be understood in different ways. The common good can be considered as something that maximizes the socioeconomic well-being of all people. Also as that which is for the benefit of the community in general.
Finally, it can be argued that a common good is something whose ownership is not private (it does not belong to any person). Sunlight, in this framework, is a common good: it cannot be privatized and is freely available.