COSMOS MULTAN 03045500009

COSMSOS ACADEMY FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS, MULTAN

ENGLISH ESSAY OUTLINES FOR CSS 2024

ESSAY WITH ZEESHAN ZAFFAR

Topic: Best for an Individual Is Not Necessarily Best for Society

Meaning of the Statement: The essay statement suggests that what is beneficial or
advantageous for an individual may not always align with what is beneficial for society as a
whole. It implies a distinction between personal interests and societal interests, highlighting that
actions or choices that benefit one person might not have the same positive effects on the broader
community.
Thesis: “Decisions and Policies Should Consider the collective welfare rather than solely
focusing on individual gains.

1) Introduction
2) Understanding Distinction between Individual well-being and
societal well-being
3) Best for an Individual Is Not Necessarily Best for Society In
a. Philosophical perspective
i. Individual actions or choices may not always
contribute positively to society
ii. Example: "Tragedy of the Commons" by Garret Hardin showing
depletion of shared resources by individuals acting in their self-
interests
b. Ethical consideration
i. Normative suggests consideration of societal impact as
part of ethical responsibilities
1. Example: Tax evasion may maximize individuals
wealth but have negative consequences on the
society
2. Immanuel Kant’s Ethical Theory
c. Political realm
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i. Benefits of clergy, elites and a few in different political

systems at the expense of majority can lead to
instability and unrest
1. Case Study: “French Revolution”
d. Economic domain
i. Individuals and companies prioritizing profits and gains
of self can lead to income inequality
e. Social institutions
i. Focusing on individual’s benefit can neglect the needs
of marginalized in education, health, and social safety
nets
f. Environmental perspective
i. Individual’s action can harm the environment
g. Gender Domain
i. Employers might benefit for paying women less than
men, detrimental to economic growth and social
cohesion
h. Cultural perspective
i. Prioritizing boys over girls limits the development of
human capital
4) Ways and Means to Ensure Best for Both Society And
Individual
a. Prioritize the common good over individual interests
b. Promote fair competition and prevent exploitation in social
institutions
c. Focus on social welfare i.e. health, education and social
safety nets to improve overall well-being
i. Case in Point: “Nordic Socialist Model”
d. Centralized planning and regulation to ensure just resource
distribution in a way to maximize societal benefit
e. Incentivize and promote sustainable practices to protect
environment for future generations
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f. Implement social policies that promote equality, justice and

well-being of society
i. Case in Point: “Theory of Communitarianism in
Governance and Public Policy”
5) Conclusion

QUOTES AND REFERENCES

QUOTES
1) "The welfare of the individual is bound up with the welfare of the society as a whole." -
John Stuart Mill, "Utilitarianism"
2) "True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence." -
Franklin D. Roosevelt, "The Economic Bill of Rights"
3) "The greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundation of morals and
legislation." - Jeremy Bentham, "Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation"

BOOKS
1) "Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" by Michael J. Sandel
2) "The Social Contract" by "The Social Contract"
3) The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger" by Richard Wilkinson,
Kate Pickett
4) "Capital in the Twenty-First Century" by Thomas Piketty