The good pursued by a society and which, in some respect, perfects it. Considered from a causal perspective, the common good is a final cause.  The common good is an end that is qualitatively distinct from the ends of particular agents in a given society. It is not merely the sum of particular goods, but the unified end which apportions to the various parts of that society roles that are fit to that society’s end.  All agents in a society can be said to formally will this end in their roles as parts; the most essential aspect of authority in a community is the willing of the matter in which the common good will be realized.  For example, the members of a symphony formally will to play a given piece of music well and in accord with the direction of the conductor; the conductor, as authority, materially determines the interpretational specifics of this common good of symphony performance.