Groups O-T (sec 03): How can we advance the common good? by Judi Freeman https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki Sarah Kastelic, an indigenous Kodiak Alutiiq woman living in the United States, asked in a 2018 essay (https://ssir.org/articles/entry/who_defines_the_good_in_common_good) : Who should define the common good? From the survey we did a few weeks ago, it seemed as if we had very different views on what the common good is. Kastelic feels that world views of individual communities can contribute to encouraging behaviors and systems that are for the “advantage of everyone.” If you could make a list and had NO MORE THAN 100 words, what would need to SPECIFICALLY happen in a society to encourage behavior and systems that advance the common good—something that would be for the “advantage of everyone”? Please share anything that you have witnessed or has happened in your society—no matter how big or small--that demonstrates that advancing the common good is possible. en-us 2020-11-15 17:19:24 UTC 2025-11-17 16:35:00 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-uploads.storage.googleapis.com/78451811/1b6e808af32135bc05892be23d36e398/images.jpg The common good. kkiessling https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/939461962 I know it isn't something that is easy to achieve, but a simple way to encourage behavior and systems that advance the common good would to be treat people the way you would like to be treated. Granted this childhood saying does have it faults, seeing that if, for some odd reason, someone was wanted to be treated poorly, which would lead to a cycle of bad behavior. 

]]> 2020-11-19 01:20:35 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/939461962 Emily M., USA, Boston, Massachusetts https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/939479979 Here are some potential ideas for how we can potentially advance the common good:

- Implement specific policies that allow for equal educational opportunities (similar to how BPS is working to make the playing field equal by getting rid of the ISEE, though I think that it would be better if we could change the curriculums so that the test would actually be testing on what students learned in their schools) 
- More supports for lower-income and minority groups (perhaps programs offered by schools or the district that will help students learn things they never learned at home - like college stuff) ]]> 2020-11-19 01:29:55 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/939479979 An T., USA, Boston, Massachusetts atran411 https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/939698398 To answer what must happen to achieve a society that advances the common good, I first decided to answer what would a society like that even look like? Well, everyone would not only respect each other's differences but even value them. People would be selfless, and generous in giving their all to help the commonwealth. So, what steps can we take to get there?
1. In order to care about another, you must be cared for first. We have to make sure that everyone is stable, financially and emotionally. This would come in the form of free healthcare, less taxes towards the middle and lower class, providing actual homes not homeless shelters to those who need it. Another component to this is having better conditions in prisons. Prisons should be seen as rehabilitation, not punishment. Humanizing and treating prisoners better the way we understand crime, and lessen the crime rates.
2. Education is the foundation of a country. The way in which future generations grow to view other people and themselves will affect the welfare of the country as a whole. Education is crucial to advancing the common good. This takes form in having diverse curriculums and practicing empathy and mutual understanding in the classroom. If children are more exposed to people who don't look like them, diversity will be a normal thing, and everyone will be seen as equal. ]]> 2020-11-19 03:32:43 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/939698398 Jacob D, USA, Boston, Massachusetts jdietch https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/939971345 In order for people to really start acting in a way that benefits the general community, I think that we should make these communities very diverse. Diversity of ethnicity often leads to diversity of thought which will heighten society. I think that the second thing we must do is improve people's material conditions. With this, comes the implementation of policies such as public option or Medicare for All, free state university, and democratic workplaces. All  of these are feasible except for maybe the democratic workplace. However, all of these will greatly benefit communities and the people in them.

Also, here is what I think the common good/goal we all should share is: we should seek to make the most people happy to the detriment of the least amount of people.]]> 2020-11-19 06:01:40 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/939971345 Tanvi Nagar, Gurgaon, Haryana, India https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/940943278 To advance the common good of the society I believe that we need to specifically take these measures-
a. People must have the right to practice the profession of their choice. Make education free and open to all. Education is the key to achieving any goal since "common good" - be it in the form of environmental conservation to achieving financial inclusion we need awareness and literacy.

b. Make financial inclusion universally an achievable target so people have the resources to work to benefit the nation and the society. 

C. A promotion of a happy, fulfilling and long life that makes everyone feel loved, included and worthy of respect.
 
D. There must also be a free flow of trade that allows people of different age groups, classes and gender to participate in business activities. 

I believe that India’s measure of demonetisation, and making all 29 states a common market and providing for inclusive education policies show its dedication towards making common good a shared goal. At a micro level I believe providing subsidies and reservations to some sections of the society to provide equity seem like a measure to promote common good.]]> 2020-11-19 12:15:05 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/940943278 Pranav India https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/941802756 To advance the common good I feel we should look into these aspects particularly. 
-Education: I believe education is the first step to achieving anything. It spreads awareness and build the foundation for furthering the common good. 
-Getting politically involved: As citizens there is certain limits to what we can do to promote common good. Firstly we need to do that. When we are doing everything we can as citizens we should start getting involved with the political administration of our area to expand our aim to a larger scale. The government has more resources and wider reach than us which will immensely help in furthering our cause. A small scale example is RWAs. Resident Welfare Associations help in keeping the residential area safe,clean and provide a good living experience. Their roles during this pandemic has increased manifold. They are checking the people for travel history to any foreign place, regular health checks,, contact tracing, isolation of infected people and direct contact with the local police, health and other administrators giving frequent reports about the status in the locality. This is what is needed to be replicated in a larger scale to promote the common good

]]> 2020-11-19 15:29:21 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/941802756 Hadeel Shrara, Lebanon, Tyre https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/942328635 There are numerous ideas for how we can enhance the common good. Here are some of them.

First, free education can be one of the several aspects of common good in societies. Nowadays, many children are facing illiteracy just because they are poor and can't afford schools fees, in this case, governments, organizations and charities can build free schools so that all children can learn equally. 

Another idea is preserving the environment. This can be done in different ways such as cleaning beaches, recycling wastes, cleaning gardens and not throwing wastes in water. In general, when taking such steps, not only we preserve and keep our own environment and cities, but also every part of the society, preventing diseases and environmental destruction.


]]> 2020-11-19 17:04:31 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/942328635 Cecelia Faller, USA, Boston, Massachusetts https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/942913571 I think "the advantage of all" is really hard to define, and different people probably have different opinions of what helping eveyone means. That being said, I think we need to take drastic measures to protect the enviroment because that is the one thing that truely impacts everyone, and if we ruin it beyond reversal we won't be able to improve anything else or improve anything for people.]]> 2020-11-19 18:52:32 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/942913571 Yu.H Hiroshima, Japan 1710306 https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/943559638 First, I think in order to achieve common good for everyone, we need a good quality of education for everyone. I think learning about differences can change our perspectives and this could lead to us achieving common good for everyone. ]]> 2020-11-19 21:27:03 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/943559638 Lev Sugerman-Brozan, USA, Boston, Massachusetts lsugermanbroz https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/943770467 The first, and most important thing that would need to happen in a society in order to promote the "common good" would be an overwhelming societal understanding of what the common good is, and why it is mutually beneficial for everyone to contribute to it. Many people think only of themselves in a society simply because they believe that is how society functions; but in this sort of society that we are describing, the whole system would fall apart if every person thought only of themselves. Thus, it's important for everyone to understand the common good of a society, and maybe see some direct impacts of this. Secondly, it would require that everyone actually care about the common good. There are many people in the world who, when asked, would rather fend for themselves rather than thinking for the common good of a society. However, my question is this: Is it possible to have both? Is it possible to have a society where working for the common good also benefits the individuals? I think that the answer is yes.]]> 2020-11-19 22:53:25 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/943770467 Lucy B, USA, Boston, MA https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/943924330 To encourage behavior and systems that advance the common good I think everyone needs accessibility to basic needs. There is no reason a bottle of water should cost so much as well as food. It is something we all need and those deprived of it are treated as less than, but it is not their fault that it is not accessible. If everyone does not have the same accessibility to basic human needs then there cannot be just advancements. ]]> 2020-11-20 00:18:38 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/943924330 The Common Good ahoey7 https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/944056356 In order to advance the common good, high. quality education must be accessible to ALL. This means lower tuition prices, innovation, encourage creativity and stimulation, reforming programs, and more versatility for all learning styles. Through this, children will be able to see school as less of a burden and more of an engaging and freeing curriculum. I say this because with education comes more participation and engagement in social and political issues that permit advancement and progression to a better society as a whole. ]]> 2020-11-20 01:24:34 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/944056356 Brian N, USA, Boston, Massachusetts https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/944314741 To encourage behavior and systems that advance the common good everyone needs to be able to have access to quality education. A quality education is key to getting a good job and a decent income to support and have a family. Everyone should also have free healthcare. Many times people are sick or need to go to the hospital but don't go because they fear the fee they will have to pay. We need to get rid of that fear so that everyone will be able to have good health. ]]> 2020-11-20 04:14:09 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/944314741 Antonia V, Australia, Melbourne https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/944672763 - equal education and equal opportunities for all. No one should be disadvantaged for their race, 🤬, age, income or gender. I think that no matter what society you are in, there will always be this issue. Common good would be to ensure that someone  from any background can achieve their goal/ job in anyway possible. The best way to deal with this is equal education which will ensure that everyone can be educated at the same level, without there being a strong disadvantage  just because of your background, hence the need for free education. "common good" can only be achieved if everyone has the same oppertunities to achieve it. ]]> 2020-11-20 09:19:20 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/944672763 https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/944674290 2020-11-20 09:19:56 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/944674290 Hnin Thet Hmue Ko, Gaygue, Ayeyarwady, Myanmar katherine386hthk https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/944752105 If I have to say the definition of common good, it means " the advantage or benefit of all people in a society". Besides, advancing the common good means building a community that offers quality of life for all, regardless of age, gender, income or cultural background.

As for me , there are three things we all need in order to advance the common good : education,
 income and health.   I believe education is the basic step to achieve anything.For example , a person who is living in a community in which he receives quality education opportunities  since his childhood through his high school years. Then, he or she  will get a stable job and enough income to support a family through retirement. That's why,  high quality health care and education opportunities must be accessible to all. It means lower health and school expenses regardless of income and background. Besides, we also have the rights to get higher paying and more secure jobs.
]]> 2020-11-20 10:07:01 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/944752105 Advancing the common good, Joanna Li, USA, Boston MA https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/945557775 The key factor to advancing the common good is accessibility. In my mind this entails 1) Making quality education affordable to all, 2) Making healthy food a commonplace resource, and 3) Reforming the way welfare currently works. I've seen the first point implemented in a multitude of ways: scholarships and financial aid programs are key to providing education opportunities. Additionally, many people upload intellectual property (primarily textbooks) online, making expensive education resources free and easy to access, which combats the exclusivity and elitism that accompanies many higher education institutions.]]> 2020-11-20 15:06:48 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/945557775 Sarah Young Boston MA https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/945709277 In order to achieve common good as a society we need to work on creating equal oppuntunites for every citizen despite our differences. Education should be avaliable and free for all as it is the key to having a successful life and opens a lot of oppurunities. ]]> 2020-11-20 15:38:01 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/945709277 Erin Rice, USA, Boston, Massachusetts https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/946323180 In order to advance the common good I think that we have to start by addressing how to improve heath, education, and income for everyone. I think we should start with those who are struggling the most with these 3 things, and then work out way up. We have to make sure that everyone starts off on an equal playing field no matter their age, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. We also need to address climate change and working on implementing policies that help prevent it because we only have 7 years until we can’t reverse it, and all our problems won’t matter if we don’t have a healthy planet to thrive on. ]]> 2020-11-20 17:43:35 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/946323180 pchen141 https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/947528933 2020-11-21 01:49:31 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/947528933 Kali I., USA, Boston, Massachusetts https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/947536019 In order for a society to encourage behavior and systems that advance the common good, we would have to first get to a point of unity and cooperation. I think that, as of right now, it feels as though we can't progress here in the U.S. because there is this political divide and tensions are high. People need to be able to sit down and understand the need to prioritize the good of everyone over the good of just a select few. If we don't have this willingness to cooperate with each other, then nothing will come of it.]]> 2020-11-21 01:57:31 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/947536019 https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/948112730 Jenija Puri 
Pokhara, Nepal
We were born lucky, privileged and never had to worry about having food at out plate or never had to stress upon unpaid bills. However we do bear this responsibility to help the people not as fortunate as us. 
 Here are some major measures to advance common good:
 -Good education and health 
 - Financial sector should be stable e.t.c
 I feel that people should sit down and understand each others need and if we don't want to do that then nothing good will happen. And also we should seek to make the people happy.]]> 2020-11-21 14:21:25 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/948112730 Andre Weiss, Boston Latin School, MA https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/950908387 No one list would help. All cultures treat the common good differently. If we see it as more trivial things, such as appreciating the food we have, some people do that through prayer during meals. Some do nothing. If we see it through a lens of grandeur, a society would have to openly agree on ideals that fit to their overall culture and norms. For example, going a specific speed limit everywhere could serve as a common good. What would the advantage be? If everyone followed it, the number of accidents (between cars, cars and pedestrians, etc.) could easily be reduced.

I haven’t noticed anything in particular besides the mandate of wearing masks. Sure, not everyone will follow this. But for those who do, they set an example for others that lead to other people doing the same. That behavioral example then helps to reduce the number of cases that exist day to day (even though it’s somewhat failing right now, but props to those who are still trying).

If we continue with the example of masks, as soon as everyone agrees with the idea that wearing a mask will indeed protect them and others against the virus, then the idea of the common good would be fully achieved.]]> 2020-11-23 03:51:49 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/950908387 https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/950908590 2020-11-23 03:51:59 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/950908590 https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/950908638 2020-11-23 03:52:01 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/950908638 Gian Martinez - Boston, MA gmartinez220 https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/951224987 After reading some passages about Thanksgiving and what exactly the Natives were doing around that time, it's clear to see that back then, within their little gift exchange economy, they were all much happier and trusting of one another. To even wish to take steps in advancing some kind of common good, we would first have to acknowledge that society has normalized stepping on one another and exploiting others for the sake of self interest or profit. This would have to cease if we would want to unite under one common good and trust one another. ]]> 2020-11-23 06:56:33 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/951224987 Adna Maslo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/951618285 1. unity - coming from a country with diverse culture and nations, i consider unity and finding mutual goal as crucial for achieving common good. In order to contribute to prospering of society we must all find common ground, an objective that we all share and aim to achieve. Spreading the idea of common good is impossible without all of us agreeing to implement it.
2. Education - society must agree on a certain aim, in this case it is achieving common good. That cannot be done unless all of us are aware of basic steps which lead to this. Education allows people to form their own point of view and principles without imposing them to others as the only righteous solution. It is a watermark that significantly accentuates how dedicates we are to seeing a bigger picture, to overcoming limits imposed to us. Everybody has a right to be educated, and that should not be something that in order to obtain, we must sacrifice something. Therefore free education plays a big role in this process
3. Encouraging communities to be involved in preservation of environment - United by will to save out mother nature, we would gradually improve our surrounding and see a significant progress. Other forms of common good cannot succeed in existing if we do not have a healthy and clean environment to observe them in.]]> 2020-11-23 09:35:01 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/951618285 Jasmin Dreer, Reutte, Austria https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/951641821 First of all good education is crucial for everyone's well-being. By learning about history and politics we understand how Democracy works and who/what could endanger democracy. This way one would be able to detect early "warning signs" and work against that. By learning about economy we feel more confident planning our futures. The list goes on and on. In Austria nobody has to pay for education, even most univerities don't charge a fee. The only thing you have to buy yourself are notebooks and (at university) textbooks. 
Secondly, we should realize the importance of not being biased towards other people. We have to be aware that everyone has prejudices to some extent, we have to detect them and fight against them. Every person deserves respect. 
Furthermore we should stop putting everything into categories. It is our way to understand the world, but it can be very harmful. If we say "You are a black person, you are a white person, hence you are superior and you are worthless (excuse my language)" then we build borders that do not exist, since we are all human. This relates to prejudices, but it's a different approach. I'd encourage everyone to try to think "out of the box" more often, to see the big picture, to question things. 

]]> 2020-11-23 09:44:25 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/951641821 Hoàng Long - Can Tho, Vietnam hoanlongsukbin https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/959712702 I think that everyone sharing and helping each other when they're in difficult time that become beneficial for the whole society. In Vietnam, when natural disasters raged in the Central region, people in the South and the North kept helping and constantly sending necessary supplies or food for relief. The spirit of solidarity of Vietnam, they always sharing and positive connection with each other no matter what happens. So I think this is the greatest mutual benefit that everyone receives in my country ]]> 2020-11-25 13:01:43 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/959712702 Valeri Karmanov, Athens, Greece https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/982233813 This question sounds a lot more simple than it actually is, nonetheless, I'd like to believe that when asked this question, most people would probably answer it with the starting lines such as small businesses, volunteerism, community work or even facility management of the area. Honestly, I'm not sure which one would be the most fit, but for a start, I think we can all agree that in order for a community to start working on their problems, they'd first have to to address them, perhaps in the forum of community gatherings and information spreading. It's like they say, all apples come from the same tree, let's ensure to endure. ]]> 2020-12-03 01:11:33 UTC https://padlet.com/freemanjud/glc3hqei5wb6u7ki/wish/982233813