Our idea of what constitutes social good has advanced with the procession of the ages, from those desperate times when just to keep body and soul together was an achievement, to the great present when "good" includes an agreeable, stable civilization accessible to all, the opportunity of each to develop his particular genius and the privilege of mutual usefulness.
Interpretation
The concept of social good has evolved over time from mere survival to the promotion of a thriving civilization that benefits everyone.
Frances Perkins highlights the significant evolution of our understanding of social good throughout history. Initially centered around mere survival, modern interpretations now encompass broader societal benefits, such as stability, equality, and the nurturing of individual talents, emphasizing the importance of mutual support and collective progress as hallmarks of a truly 'good' society.
In practice
In a speech on social justice, one could use this quote to illustrate the evolution of societal values.
Out of our first century of national life we evolved the ethical principle that it was not right or just that an honest and industrious man should live and die in misery. He was entitled to some degree of sympathy and security. Our conscience declared against the honest workman's becoming a pauper, but our eyes told us that he very often did.
The door might not be opened to a woman again for a long, long time, and I had a kind of duty to other women to walk in and sit down on the chair that was offered, and so establish the right of others long hence and far distant in geography to sit in the high seats.
The people are what matter to government, and a government should aim to give all the people under its jurisdiction the best possible life.
I refuse to accept the idea that the “isness” of man's present nature makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the eternal “oughtness” that forever confronts him.
Those in power have made it so we have to pay simply to exist on the planet. We have to pay for a place to sleep, and we have to pay for food. If we don't, people with guns come and force us to pay. That's violent.
On the night that the Second World war was declared, there were crowds in the street. It was a summer's night and there was a blackout. On every side you heard people crying: 'Look at the moon!' The moon had been there every minute of their lives and they'd never seen it.
How can we resent the life we've created for ourselves? Who's to blame, who's to credit, but us? Who can change it, any time we wish, but us?
Pride is the utter poverty of soul disguised as riches, imaginary light where in fact there is darkness.
No government ought to be without censors; and where the press is free no one ever will.
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