Difference between revisions of "Net good"
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(→Overview: fixed goofy phrasing; added bit about relativity) |
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| − | [[Category:Concepts]][[Net good]] refers to a best estimation of the overall total benefit to society (or to any subset thereof whose interests are being considered) of a particular thing. It is almost never possible to assign any kind of numeric value to this concept; the | + | [[Category:Concepts]][[Net good]] refers to a best estimation of the overall total benefit to society (or to any subset thereof whose interests are being considered) of a particular thing. It is almost never possible to assign any kind of numeric value to this concept; the best which can usually be done is to decide whether the net good is ''positive'' – thus making the outcome ''desirable'' or [[good]] – or ''negative'', thus making the outcome ''undesirable'' or [[bad]]. |
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| + | It is also reasonable to discuss the ''relative'' [[net good]] of each of several different possible choices. | ||
Revision as of 23:47, 1 September 2006
Overview
Net good refers to a best estimation of the overall total benefit to society (or to any subset thereof whose interests are being considered) of a particular thing. It is almost never possible to assign any kind of numeric value to this concept; the best which can usually be done is to decide whether the net good is positive – thus making the outcome desirable or good – or negative, thus making the outcome undesirable or bad.
It is also reasonable to discuss the relative net good of each of several different possible choices.