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When does “public good” overrule the rights of individuals?

User Mary Chang
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Answer:

Public good can override individual rights when it is necessary to protect the safety, health, and welfare of the public. This could include situations such as public health emergencies, natural disasters, or other situations where the public good outweighs the rights of individuals.

User Keselme
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The concept of a "public good" refers to a type of good that is non-excludable and non-rivalrous in consumption, meaning that it is not feasible to exclude anyone from enjoying its benefits, and its consumption by one individual does not diminish the benefits available to others. Examples of public goods include clean air, national defense, and scientific research that leads to new discoveries that can benefit everyone.

In some cases, the provision of public goods may require that the rights of individuals be limited or overridden for the greater good of the society as a whole. For example, a government may require that individuals pay taxes to fund public goods such as roads or public education, even if some individuals do not want to contribute or do not directly benefit from these goods.

However, the overruling of individual rights for the sake of a public good should be based on ethical principles and democratic processes, and should be done in a way that respects individual dignity and autonomy. In general, the principle of "the greatest good for the greatest number" should guide decision-making in cases where there is a conflict between the rights of individuals and the provision of public goods.

User Eduardo Chongkan
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