12. Common Good Mindset: The Public Dimensions of Sustainability

Sustainability is commonly associated with nature and the environment but often not discussed in its economic and social aspects. The public and common good dimensions of sustainability are examined even less in the literature. While the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals included the Peace and Policy dimensions in their formulations along with people, planet, prosperity, and partnership, the common good mindset needs to be further explored to understand the comprehensive nature of sustainability. This study reviews the concept of common good in relation to other dimensions of sustainability and its implications for sustainability mindsets. The common good, which dates back to Aristotle, is central to sustainability and well-being in society because it promotes political justice, public accountability, and civic mindedness to help achieve prosperity and collective happiness (eudaimonia). The common good and public good dimensions of sustainability are examined in light of Aristotle’s paradigms enhanced by the contributions of Jacques Maritain, Elinor Ostrom, and Pope Francis reflecting the Jesuit and Catholic teaching traditions. The common good mindset contributes to our understanding of the sustainability mindset by shifting the paradigm of “me-thinking” to “we-thinking.” The common good paradigm has gone through various evolutionary interpretations which play a key role in today’s debates over sustainable human development, sustainable human security, and a sustainability mindset. These thinkers exemplify some of the essential elements in the common good mindset identified here as core dimensions for developing leadership mindsets for our collective global responsibility and our common sustainable future.