Indifference breeds evilNorman Cousins, an American journalist and professor, once said: “The individual is capable of both great compassion and great indifference. He has the means to feed the former and surpass the latter. Choices are the essence of life. Many people evaluate the circumstances they encounter in their lives and tend to react in their best interest. When someone next needs a helping hand, most people don't pay attention because it's the easy way out. However, other people will do whatever they can to lend a hand, even if it takes effort on their part, and they will triumph, knowing that they have created a better world. On the other hand, those who are indifferent to the fate of others will bring even more evil into the world. In conclusion, sometimes a person needs to let go of their indifference to face the truth of what is right. In the following stories, we'll show how the choices people make affect society, for better or worse. We will first explore the settlers who were faced with a choice during the Revolutionary War. American colonists began to rebel against the powerful British Empire for several reasons. John Locke wrote about the “social contract” which meant that government can only exercise authority if it has the consent of the governed. Locke continues and says that if the government abuses the rights of the governed, the people can rebel and overthrow the government. This idea began to form in the minds of the colonists when the British government began imposing unreasonable tariffs on them. The Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, and the Townshend Acts were all different taxes that the British Parliament imposed on goods and raw materials at a time when the economy was at an all-time low. Settlers begin... middle of paper... arise from a widespread pursuit of individual interests", there is a need for "...cooperative efforts...of many people" (Velasquez, Andre, Shanks, SJ and Meyer 2). The “common good” is something that everyone can participate in and benefit from. For example, a clean and unpolluted environment. The problem with the “common good” is that not everyone in society will be motivated toward a single goal because people will pursue their own interests and not the goal of the “common good.” Even if the ideal society in which everyone works for the “common good” can never become reality, it is a point to meditate on. People should ask themselves whether their actions will benefit society or cause distress or hardship to others. Our society emphasizes individualism, but we cannot remain indifferent to the goals we all share. (Velasquez, Andre, Shanks, SJ and Meyer)