Abstract
The article deals with the concept of common good in New Natural Law theory in the conception of its main representative John Finnis. At the beginning it concentrates on the description of common good and its importance in the context of the meaning of human existence. This has clear parallels with the description of common good in current catholic social teaching and it draws significantly from the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas. The article continues with some critical views on Finnis’s description and alternative natural law theory of common good. The importance of the concept of common good in New Natural Law theory is analyzed at the end of the article.
Highlights
The article deals with the concept of common good in New Natural Law theory in the conception of its main representative John Finnis
The importance of the concept of common good in New Natural Law theory is analyzed at the end of the article
In the frames of thinking about the idea of the common good in the conception of New Natural Law theory we can focus on three main questions
Summary
In the frames of thinking about the idea of the common good in the conception of New Natural Law theory we can focus on three main questions. Finnis’s concept of the common good was questioned mainly because of the way in which he describes the relationship between individuals and society It was criticized for its instrumental nature, the relationship between good and realization of virtue, and the role of state authority and law in connection with this realization. Finnis confirmed that individuals have a fundamental area of freedom and responsibility for realizing virtue within the fundamental values, and in this respect neither the political community nor the authorities can replace the responsibility of individuals and families for their own life fulfillment.[29]
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