greater good
Benefit for all
Greater good refers to the benefit of a larger group or society as a whole, typically invoked when individual interests must yield to collective welfare.
The phrase often justifies sacrifice or difficult decisions: She donated the land for the greater good of the community.
It can sound noble or ominous depending on who's defining what that good is.
Study of right conduct
- consequentialismEthics judging by results
- utilitarianismGreatest-happiness moral theory
- beneficenceActive desire to help
- moral calculusReasoning about right action
ends and means · moral reasoning · trolley problem · ethical dilemma · deontology · moral duty · cost-benefit · optimization
Surrendering for others' benefit
- martyrdomSuffering for conviction
- trade-offExchange requiring sacrifice
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- forfeitLose through violation
renunciation · concession · noble sacrifice · ultimate sacrifice · selflessness · laying down · giving up · foregoing
Societal welfare and benefit
- social welfareGovernment help for citizens
- commonwealGeneral good of society
- general welfareCollective societal benefit
- community benefitAdvantage serving local residents
mutual benefit · public benefit · common cause · shared interest · communal welfare · public welfare · common purpose · ubuntu
Generous giving for others
- humanitarianismPromoting welfare through compassion
- benevolenceDisposition toward doing good
- charityVoluntary aid for others
- generosityReadiness to give freely
compassion · prosocial · volunteerism · service · public-spirited · giving back · empathy · kindness
Status as state member
- civic dutyObligation owed to community
- civic virtueDevotion to community welfare
- civic responsibilityObligations to one's community
- public serviceWork for community benefit
social contract · governance · nation-building · statecraft · public policy · democracy · collective action · civil society
moral philosophy
Study of right conduct
- consequentialismEthics judging by results
- utilitarianismGreatest-happiness moral theory
- beneficenceActive desire to help
moral calculus · ends and means · moral reasoning · trolley problem · ethical dilemma · deontology · moral duty · cost-benefit · optimization · maximization
self-sacrifice
Surrendering for others' benefit
- martyrdomSuffering for conviction
- trade-offExchange requiring sacrifice
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
forfeit · renunciation · concession · noble sacrifice · ultimate sacrifice · selflessness · laying down · giving up · foregoing · relinquishment
public interest
Societal welfare and benefit
- social welfareGovernment help for citizens
- commonwealGeneral good of society
- general welfareCollective societal benefit
community benefit · mutual benefit · public benefit · common cause · shared interest · communal welfare · public welfare · common purpose · ubuntu · social harmony
philanthropy
Generous giving for others
- humanitarianismPromoting welfare through compassion
- benevolenceDisposition toward doing good
- charityVoluntary aid for others
generosity · compassion · prosocial · volunteerism · service · public-spirited · giving back · empathy · kindness · mutual aid
citizenship
Status as state member
- civic dutyObligation owed to community
- civic virtueDevotion to community welfare
- civic responsibilityObligations to one's community
public service · social contract · governance · nation-building · statecraft · public policy · democracy · collective action · civil society · public affairs
greater goodselfishness
Excessive concern for oneself
self-interest · egoism · greed · avarice · self-aggrandizement
greater goodindividual rights
Freedoms held by persons
personal liberty · bodily autonomy · natural rights · categorical imperative · minority rights
good, great, goods, goodness, greatly, greatest, greater, greatness, goodwill