VA L U E S E D U C A T I O N 9

MS. GHE
DEFINING “COMMON GOODS”

• Common Goods refers to all conditions in our society and the goods
secured by those conditions, which allow all the members to achieve
both human and spiritual development. The idea of common good
is to promote health and welfare of every one in the community
with the collaborative effort of members and authorities in a
particular society. The society must provide opportunities for each
members to be able to fulfill their vocation in life through ensuring
peace and security.
 THREE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE
COMMON GOOD
• Respect for and promotion of the fundamental rights of the person
common good also refers to the integration of dignity and rights while
attaining the basic needs, desire and interest of each individual. We do not
sacrifice our values for the attainment of material needs and success in our
career.
Government are ought to respect and protect the rights of each members.
Common good resides in the exercise of the natural freedom which is vital or
important for the development of human vocation.
 THREE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE
COMMON GOOD
• Prosperity or the development of the spiritual and temporal goods of society
Common good requires the social well-being or good relationships to others, and
development of the group itself. Accomplishment of social duties or working for the
development of the community may also have an impact to the development of the
common good.
Social Authority must prioritize the common needs of the people: food, clothing, health,
work, education and culture, suitable information, the right to establish a family, etc.
Poverty in one social illness that hinders the development and attainment of common
good. Poverty is the opposite of prosperity. Breaking the cycle of poverty is a critical
part of one’s social responsibility.
 THREE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF THE
COMMON GOOD
• Peace and security of the group and of its members.
Common good requires peace and security that is, the stability and security
of a just order. They should impose laws that is morally acceptable and
applicable to each members in a particular community. Having a civil conflict
or general unrest may result to difficulty in the development of common good.

Generally, peace and security can already be observed in the present society.
Therefore common good refers on having the social system, institutions, and
environment that we can all depend on.
 WHO ARE THE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
ATTAINMENT OF THE COMMON GOOD?

• As social beings, we have the right and duty to participate in the

activities of the society to achieve the common good.
• The State
It is the duty of the state to provide the access of basic needs to its
people, social condition, to help every member to fully develop. Take
care of the economy through providing business establishments
which offers employment opportunities to the members of the society.
And to protect and maintain peace and order for the members of the
community to feel safe and work comfortably.
 EXAMPLES OF ASPECT TO REACH THE
COMMON GOOD
• Free or affordable education for the youth;
• Health care, public hospitals, and health centers especially in remote
areas;
• An effective system of public safety and security;
• A just and legal political system;
• A clean and green natural environment;
• A flourishing economic system;
• Employment opportunities on a global level; and
• Peace among the nations of the world.
 WHO ARE THE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
ATTAINMENT OF THE COMMON GOOD?
• The Citizens
Imposing laws and regulation by the social authority is not enough
to attain the common good. It is collaborative effort of government
and its citizens. Laws and ordinance must follow and exercise by all
person in the community.

As a teenager, what do you think you can do to contribute in the

attainment of common good?
• As a young person, you can contribute to the common good by taking into account the welfare of
those around you. It means that you are after the interest or well-being of everyone in the family,
school and the community.
At HOME
each member of the family makes sure that he/she contributes to the betterment of the
whole family.
In CLASSROOM
All the members of the class can contribute to create an atmosphere where everyone will
be encourage to express themselves appropriately and perform well in their studies.
In COMMUNITY
1. keep the environment clean;
2. clean not only your front yard but also the street in front of your house
“Tapat ko. Linis ko”
3. Be respectful to your neighbors;
4. Avoid playing loud music; and
5. Participate in clean up drives and other social action programs.