What will I learn about: how the common good functions as the unwritten moral laws of fairness and trust that keep society from descending into a corrupt jungle?

Discover how the common good functions as the unwritten moral laws of fairness and trust that keep society from descending into a corrupt jungle.

What will I learn about: why thinkers like Ayn Rand and Robert Nozick actively opposed the concept of the common good, arguing instead that society should be driven by individual self-interest?

Understand why thinkers like Ayn Rand and Robert Nozick actively opposed the concept of the common good, arguing instead that society should be driven by individual self-interest.

What will I learn about: Learn how fragile mutual trust truly is, and see how a few bad actors exploiting society's unspoken rules can trigger a widespread erosion of shared values?

Learn how fragile mutual trust truly is, and see how a few bad actors exploiting society's unspoken rules can trigger a widespread erosion of shared values.

What will I learn about: how the relentless pursuit of maximum profit and a 'whatever-it-takes-to-win' mentality have endangered American societal norms, resulting in actions that are legal but morally wrong?

Find out how the relentless pursuit of maximum profit and a 'whatever-it-takes-to-win' mentality have endangered American societal norms, resulting in actions that are legal but morally wrong.

What will I learn about: Recognize that unethical behavior by leaders creates a destructive domino effect, and explore why acknowledging these historical missteps is the first step toward restoring our communities?

Recognize that unethical behavior by leaders creates a destructive domino effect, and explore why acknowledging these historical missteps is the first step toward restoring our communities.

The Common Good

Spread the word of the good deed before it’s too late

Robert B. Reich

★ 3.9 / 5(52 ratings)

Start ListeningDownload QR code that opens AudiobookHub on the App Store

Try free on iPhoneScan to start in 5 seconds

Categories:

Society & Culture Philosophy

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

💡Why did prominent thinkers like Ayn Rand and Robert Nozick argue that the concept of the 'common good' is actually a path to tyranny, and how has this philosophy fueled the exploitation of public trust?
💡How did the 'whatever-it-takes-to-win' mentality of the 1980s, exemplified by corporate raiders and political scandals, transform American society and lead to a drastic decline in institutional trust?
💡What specific roles do 'virtuous leadership' and the strategic reassignment of 'honor and shame' play in reversing the erosion of the common good?

Listen to The Common Good — Free Audiobook

Loading player...

Key Takeaways from The Common Good

✓Discover how the common good functions as the unwritten moral laws of fairness and trust that keep society from descending into a corrupt jungle.
✓Understand why thinkers like Ayn Rand and Robert Nozick actively opposed the concept of the common good, arguing instead that society should be driven by individual self-interest.
✓Learn how fragile mutual trust truly is, and see how a few bad actors exploiting society's unspoken rules can trigger a widespread erosion of shared values.
✓Find out how the relentless pursuit of maximum profit and a 'whatever-it-takes-to-win' mentality have endangered American societal norms, resulting in actions that are legal but morally wrong.
✓Recognize that unethical behavior by leaders creates a destructive domino effect, and explore why acknowledging these historical missteps is the first step toward restoring our communities.

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from The Common Good

Mind Map

The Common Good

Definition & Foundations+

Exploitation & Deniers+

The Whatever-It-Takes Mentality+

Restoring the Common Good+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 9

What are the primary historical roots of the notion of a virtuous society and the common good in America, according to the text?

A. The Industrial Revolution and capitalism
B. The Bible and the Enlightenment
C. Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy
D. The American Civil War and Reconstruction

Question 2 of 9

Why did philosopher Robert Nozick oppose the concept of the common good?

A. He argued it gave too much power to religious institutions.
B. He believed paying taxes for the welfare of others equated to forced labor.
C. He felt it prevented charitable organizations from doing their work.
D. He thought it favored the wealthy elite over the working class.

Question 3 of 9

What does the text conclude about Martin Shkreli's decision to drastically raise the price of the life-saving drug Daraprim?

A. It was illegal under federal price-gouging laws but morally justified.
B. It was done to fund research for a new cure but ultimately failed.
C. It was completely legal but morally wrong because it ignored the common good.
D. It was an accidental pricing error that caused a national scandal.

Question 4 of 9

Which event is cited as a precedent-setting violation of political norms that contributed to the erosion of the common good?

A. The Nixon administration's Watergate scandal
B. The passing of the Patriot Act
C. The assassination of John F. Kennedy
D. The 2008 financial bailout

Question 5 of 9

According to the text, how did the "whatever-it-takes" mentality manifest in the business world during the 1980s?

A. Companies began prioritizing employee welfare and community development.
B. Businesses successfully lobbied to eliminate the minimum wage.
C. Corporate raiders and CEOs focused on maximizing short-term stock value at any cost.
D. International trade agreements were broken to favor American monopolies.

Question 6 of 9

What is a major societal consequence of the declining trust in government and institutions, as highlighted in the book?

A. Citizens completely stop paying their taxes.
B. Cheating becomes viewed as an acceptable counterattack.
C. More people run for local political offices.
D. The economy shifts to a barter system.

Question 7 of 9

What faulty reasoning often justifies the "whatever-it-takes" approach among economic and political leaders?

A. The belief that laws are merely guidelines rather than strict rules.
B. The assumption that their investors and voters want them to win by any means necessary.
C. The idea that public institutions are too slow to enact real change.
D. The conviction that foreign competitors are playing by a different set of rules.

Question 8 of 9

How does the author suggest society should reassign the concepts of honor and shame to restore the common good?

A. By honoring political leaders regardless of their actions and shaming corporate CEOs.
B. By honoring the wealthy who donate money and shaming those who rely on welfare.
C. By honoring those who serve the community and shaming those who exploit public trust.
D. By eliminating honor and shame completely to create a truly equal society.

Question 9 of 9

Why does the author argue that education should be considered a public good rather than just a private investment?

A. Because democracy depends on citizens who can discern the truth and understand the political system.
B. Because it is the only way to ensure America remains economically competitive internationally.
C. Because universities need taxpayer money to fund scientific research.
D. Because private schools have failed to teach adequate job skills.

The Common Good — Full Chapter Overview

1Recommendation
2The common good expresses the ideals and values society needs to function.
3Some people either reject or take advantage of the common good.
4In today’s America, the common good is in very short supply.
5Past immoral behavior opened the door to future abuses, helping to destroy the common good.
6The “whatever-it-takes” attitude in politics and business has severely damaged society.
7To revive the common good, we need virtuous leaders and the right use of honor and shame.
8The common good relies on both education and a shared commitment to the truth.

The Common Good Summary & Overview

The Common Good (2018) is a call for Americans to try and work toward the collective good once again, rather than continue along the path of “whatever-it-takes-to-win,” which has been the overriding mentality for the last few decades. The author outlines the importance of the common good and how we should go about restoring it.

Who Should Listen to The Common Good?

Americans who are concerned about the current political environment
People who feel that Western capitalism is losing its moral compass
Those interested in American cultural and social history

About the Author: Robert B. Reich

Robert Reich teaches public policy at the University of California, Berkeley. He’s written over a dozen books, including the best seller Saving Capitalism. During Bill Clinton’s presidency, he served as Secretary of Labor.

The Common Good

If You're Curious About These Questions...

Listen to The Common Good — Free Audiobook

Key Takeaways from The Common Good

Learning Tools

Mind Map

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

The Common Good — Full Chapter Overview

The Common Good Summary & Overview

Who Should Listen to The Common Good?

About the Author: Robert B. Reich

Books Similar to The Common Good