Dear Reader,

There is no single definition for the common good. Philosophers of all stripes, beginning with Aristotle, had their own particular interpretation of the concept. And yet, the words themselves seem to indicate a common-sense idea wherein the structures of life would benefit all and not just a select few. Clean air and water, living in safety, opportunity for education and general self-improvement- not limited to the rich and the powerful, but available to all.

At the simplest level, we could call this structure of life civility, or kindness, or good manners. Examples are alternating cars when traffic is merging, holding a door open for the person following you, refraining from poor behavior at a youth ball game, or shoveling your section of the sidewalk used by all. This level of civility contributes to a feeling of belonging to a society that respects others, a society that understands reciprocity of kindness as a positive value.

This understanding of the common good is fraying at the edges in America today. Some people don’t hold the door, refrain from foul language in public, or just don’t feel constrained by consideration for others. Originally implemented to protect others, auto inspections, for example, are being done away with in some states. Another and much more impactful example is the abolition of vaccines in Idaho and Florida, soon to expand to South Carolina and other states. Like a safe car, vaccines protect the affected person from disease, but they also protect others with whom that person comes in contact. The common good is under attack, and this is literally true when it comes to a third example, guns. Allowing anyone and everyone to carry a gun in public creates an unnecessary danger and fear that seems the ultimate contradiction of what may be understood as the common good.

Commonality can be contrasted to the extremism of personal greed. Ayn Rand, guiding philosopher of the Republican Party, encourages them to eschew caring for society, instead focusing on personal gain. For those religiously inclined, the prosperity gospel is a perfect match. God rewards those who do his will, so if you are rich, you must be in the divine favor. Not logical, but eagerly believed by the fundamentalist wealthy. But then, from this perspective, nothing is logical. The extremism is further advanced by casting doubt on what is true and reliable, such as scientific fact, the foundation of all compromise in the search for the common good. Politically, you must follow the Leader, or be “primaried” by another in your party who will have all the money necessary to defeat you. Again, not helpful in the search for common ground by which to establish the common good.

What we are witnessing in America today is a piece-by-piece deconstruction of the common good, led by a group of people who want all power and wealth for themselves. Love for neighbor, quintessence of Jesus' message, is being replaced with a message of selfishness. Symbolically, Jesus is being crucified anew.

~ Carl Krieg, Ph.D.