Common

Good
Reporters:
Hanson Jay Dela Rosa, RN
Lillien Gonio, RN
Kent A. Lagayada, RN

What does

Common
Good mean???

 the sum total of conditions of social

living, whereby persons are enabled
more fully and readily to achieve their
own perfection.

Pope John XXIII

"is not simply the sum total of particular

interests; rather it involves an assessment and
integration of those interests on the basis of a
balanced hierarchy of values; ultimately, it
demands a correct understanding of the dignity
and the rights of the person"

Pope John Paul II

Human flourishing is multifaceted because the

human being as such has many dimensions.

Human fulfillment includes a physical dimension

of health and psychological well-being.

However, the common good, as important as it is, is not the greatest good.
The ultimate fulfillment of every human person can be found only in God, but
the common good helps groups and individuals to reach this ultimate good.

Besides the good of the individual, there is a

good that is linked to living in a society: The
common good. It is the good of all of us, made up
of individuals, families and intermediate groups
who together constitute societyTo desire the
common good and strive towards it is a
requirement of justice and charity (love).

Pope Benedict
XVI

By common good to be understood the sum total of

social conditions which allow people, either as groups
or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully
and more easily.

The common good concerns the life of all. It calls

prudence from each, and even more from those who
exercise the office of authority.

Three Essential Elements

1. Respect for the person

.public authorities are bound to respect the fundamental

and inalienable rights of human person.
.Society should permit each of its members to fulfill his
vocation.
.CG resides in the conditions for the exercise of the natural
freedom indispensable for the development of the human
vocation, such as the right to act according to a sound
norm of conscience and to safeguard, privacy and rightful
freedom also in matters of religion.

Three Essential Elements

2. Social well-being and development of the group itself
Development is the epitome of all social duties.
Proper function of authority to arbitrate, in the name of the
common good, between various particular interests; but it
should make accessible to each what is needed to lead a
truly human life (food, clothing, health, work, education,
and so on)

Three Essential Elements

3. Peace

Stability and security of a just order.

Authority should ensure by morally acceptable means the
security of society and its members.
It is the basis of the right to legitimate personal and
collective defense.

Threats to Common Good

WAR

Threats to Common Good

RELIGION

Threats to Common Good

DISCRIMINATIO
N

Threats to Common Good

INDIVIDUALISM

Threats to Common Good

POVERTY