Good (philosophy) facts for kids

Something is considered good when it is important or valuable. This idea of "good" can apply to many things. It can be about objects, people, ideas, or even actions. Many thinkers, called philosophers, have spent a lot of time trying to understand what "good" truly means.

What Makes Something Good?

When we talk about something being "good," we often mean it has value. But this value can be seen in different ways. For example, a delicious meal is good because it tastes nice. Helping a friend is good because it's kind. A strong building is good because it's safe. Philosophers explore these different kinds of goodness.

Economic Good vs. Philosophical Good

You might hear about an economic good. This is something valuable because people are willing to pay money for it. Its value can change over time. Think of a popular video game. It's an economic good because many people want to buy it. But its value might go down when a new game comes out.

A philosophical good is different. It's something that is good because of what it is, not because people want to buy it. Its goodness doesn't change. For example, the idea of fairness might be seen as a philosophical good. It's good even if no one is thinking about it or paying for it.

Absolute Good vs. Relative Good

Philosophers also talk about absolute good and relative good.

A relative good is something that is good because people decide it is good. Its value depends on what people think or feel. For instance, a popular song is good because many people enjoy listening to it. If people stop liking it, its "goodness" (as a popular song) might fade.

An absolute good is something that is good all on its own. Its goodness doesn't depend on anyone's opinion. It's good even if no one is around to see it.

The Mona Lisa: An Example

Let's look at the famous painting, the Mona Lisa.

• An economist might say the Mona Lisa is a very valuable economic good. Why? Because it could be sold for a huge amount of money. Its value comes from what people are willing to pay for it. This is also a relative good because if people stopped wanting to pay for art, its economic value might drop.
• A philosopher might say the Mona Lisa is good because of how beautifully it is painted. They might focus on the skill of the artist or the feelings it creates. This kind of goodness is seen as an absolute good. The painting's artistic quality remains, no matter how much money it could sell for. It will always be painted well.