The “common good” is probably something that most of us feel we would know if we saw it, but actually defining it is somewhat harder to do. Research from RMIT University aims to do just that.
Similar to moral issues that spark passionate debates with varying viewpoints, the concept of the common good can differ based on individual needs and values. Political orientation often influences opinions on moral and social matters, particularly between those on the far left and the far right.
Broader aspects
However, if we shift our focus away from specific moral issues and instead concentrate on the broader aspects of the common good as a concept, we may discover foundational principles that are shared among individuals, perhaps even universally.
The researchers employed the social psychological folk theory approach to unearth underlying commonalities. Folk theories, informal and subjective beliefs that individuals hold about their world, were used to explore the concept of the common good and its connection to cultural perceptions and worldviews.
By having people write about or define these elusive concepts, social psychologists could analyze their responses for frequently expressed words and phrases, revealing a shared cultural understanding.
Defining the common good
The researchers asked for definitions of the common good, also known as the greater good or the public good. The nationally representative sample reflected the demographics of the Australian population. Through linguistic analysis using the Meaning Extraction Method, nine main themes emerged:
- Outcomes that are in the best interest of the majority
- Decisions and actions that benefit the majority
- That which is in the best interest of the general public
- That which serves the general national population rather than individual interests
- That which serves the majority rather than minority interests
- That which serves group rather than individual interests
- That which serves citizens’ interests
- Concern for and doing the right thing for all people
- Moral principles required to achieve the common good
Interestingly, these broad themes were mostly consistent between right-leaning and left-leaning participants, indicating shared understanding and common ground in people’s perceptions of the common good, irrespective of political leanings.
Key aspects
The nine identified themes can be distilled into three fundamental aspects of the common good, revealing a deeper conceptual structure. These aspects revolve around outcomes, principles, and stakeholders.
The first aspect encompasses the objectives and outcomes linked to the common good. It pertains to decisions and actions perceived to be in the best interests of the majority.
The second aspect is concerned with the principles associated with the common good, as well as the processes and practices involved in realizing it.
The final aspect is related to the stakeholders comprising the community or communities entitled to the common good and its benefits. These three core aspects provide a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of the common good.
This allowed the researchers to come up with a definition of the common good:
The common good refers to achieving the best possible outcome for the largest number of people, which is underpinned by decision-making that is ethically and morally sound and varies by the context in which the decisions are made.
They hope that by better defining what the common good is, we will be better placed to actually advance it.
