The Common Good

These days the idea of the common good is seldom mentioned in our political discourse. The debate over personal freedom seems to have taken over as the ultimate goal of our democracy. And yet, without some acknowledgement and emphasis on the common good, democracy can all too easily wither and die. In this study group, we will review the concept of the common good, examine the causes of its decline in our discourse, and discuss ways in which it can be once again be highlighted as a worthy goal. Helping to better understand and appreciate the importance of the common good are two distinguished scholars and writers: Robert B. Reich in his book The Common Good (Alfred Knopf, 2018) and Michael J. Sandel in his book The Tyranny of Merit (Farrar, Straus& Giroux, 2020). This study group will help us to once again focus on the merits of the common good in our society and renew our commitment to it.