Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
the greater good
English answer:
that which will benefit the greatest number of people
Added to glossary by
Steffen Walter
May 27, 2008 08:06
16 yrs ago
13 viewers *
English term
Works in: English
the greater good
English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
It wouldn't be the first time expedience and the imperative of "the greater good" had bulldozed over the rule of law.
Responses
| 4 +13 | that which will will benefit the greatest number of people |
Patricia Townshend (X)
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| 3 +2 | sacrificing one good thing to gain something better |
Christine Andersen
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| 3 +1 | the good of the whole |
d_vachliot (X)
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Change log
May 31, 2008 16:01: Patricia Townshend (X) Created KOG entry
Jun 1, 2008 13:52: Steffen Walter changed "Edited KOG entry" from "<a href="/profile/738371">Patricia Townshend (X)'s</a> old entry - "the greater good"" to ""that which will will benefit the greatest number of people""
Responses
+13
7 mins
Patricia Townshend (X)
South Africa
Native in English
&
English
Specializes in field
Related KudoZ points
:
36
Selected
that which will will benefit the greatest number of people
It has often been an excuse for ignoring the law, for instance, to consider what will be best for the greatest number of people and act accordingly.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "thank you very much"
+1
5 mins
the good of the whole
The imperative of the "greater good" probably means the good of the whole.
However, I would like some more context, because it's not very clear.
However, I would like some more context, because it's not very clear.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
orientalhorizon
: understand what you mean, remind me of the "opportunity cost".
23 hrs
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Thank you - indeed.
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+2
23 hrs
Christine Andersen
Denmark
Denmark
Native in English
&
English
Denmark
the message, not just the words
Native in: English (Variant: UK) 
Works in: Danish to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
8
sacrificing one good thing to gain something better
Having agreed with Dimitris Vachliotis - and I still do, because this is how the expression is often used today - I skimmed through the reference I found (and remembered actually reading and discussing 'Paradise Lost' at school many years ago).
It may refer to personal gain, or something one hopes for later.
The discussion comes again here:
http://www.skepticfiles.org/mys2/devildoc.htm
The expression is sometimes used to describe sacrificing something to gain something supposedly better for one's self or friends and relations.
E.g. the 'easy life ' in Eden, where Adam and Eve had to obey God, was sacrificed for independence when they disobeyed and took the fruit of the forbidden tree....
Or sacrificing money now to study for a degree and earn more money later ...
Sometimes this is a very worthwhile thing to do, but there may be a sting in the tail, and the 'good' that was sacrificed proves to be too great a price for the supposedly 'greater good' that replaces it - or perhaps never materialises...
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Note added at 1 day19 mins (2008-05-28 08:26:21 GMT)
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Sorry everyone, it was Patricia Townshend I was agreeing with...
It may refer to personal gain, or something one hopes for later.
The discussion comes again here:
http://www.skepticfiles.org/mys2/devildoc.htm
The expression is sometimes used to describe sacrificing something to gain something supposedly better for one's self or friends and relations.
E.g. the 'easy life ' in Eden, where Adam and Eve had to obey God, was sacrificed for independence when they disobeyed and took the fruit of the forbidden tree....
Or sacrificing money now to study for a degree and earn more money later ...
Sometimes this is a very worthwhile thing to do, but there may be a sting in the tail, and the 'good' that was sacrificed proves to be too great a price for the supposedly 'greater good' that replaces it - or perhaps never materialises...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day19 mins (2008-05-28 08:26:21 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Sorry everyone, it was Patricia Townshend I was agreeing with...
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
orientalhorizon
: good reasoning.
13 mins
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Thanks!
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| agree |
d_vachliot (X)
: Actually Christine, I agree with you. The "greater good" does not necessarily and always refer to the "good of the whole", but it can very well apply to other situations as well. Good reasoning, indeed.
1 day 2 hrs
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Thanks!
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