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The Idea of the Public Good

In: Welfare and Values

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  • James O’Connell

Abstract

Every society in which people accept solidarity with one another, recognize interdependence and foster participation formulates in one form or another a concept — the common or public good — which expresses those broad ends that members of the society pursue together. The notion of the common good embodies the conviction that the good of individuals is ensured in the pursuit of the good of society.1 This notion is in one form or another contained in the world’s great religions. Within Christianity, the two-fold precept of Christ on love of God and love of neighbours (two sides of the one obligation) drew on and summed up its Judaic heritage. It was expressed again in Islam. This obligation works through Hinduism in which the absolute permeates all that is contingent; in Buddhism it finds expression in reverence for all that lives; and in Confucianism it is embodied in the acceptance of a strong social and family ethos.

Suggested Citation

  • James O’Connell, 1997. "The Idea of the Public Good," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Peter Askonas & Stephen F. Frowen (ed.), Welfare and Values, chapter 7, pages 77-89, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-1-349-25547-4_7
    DOI: 10.1007/978-1-349-25547-4_7
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