Re: the power of principles, chapter 10 The Common Good and Chapter 9 Social Responsibility The principles of these two chapters offer a powerful rejoinder to the devastating ideology of individualism. we are social beings by nature. the notion of the common good recognizes this fact and gives everyone the understanding of how and why they are ought to contribute to the community. Quite simply, we are all in the human endeavour together. But then contributing to the common good, to the social conditions that allow individuals to develop more fully, is not a diminishment of one's self but a fulfilment. It is precisely in giving to the common good that the human person is perfected. Byron's societal tire must be kept inflated and this can only be done if everyone is brought along. it is also true as Byron says that our actions inevitably send out ripples across the societal pond. social responsibility means that we concern ourselves with what this impact is with every decision we take