This leads to a second premise that emphasizes the common good as an ideal. Such a premise downplays the values of individuality, autonomy, and personal rights, so prevalent in other ethical theories, in favor of a focus on the virtues and actions that support the interests of society as a whole. While this does include respect for human life and dignity, allowing for all persons to achieve a meaningful potential, the common good also calls for concern for long-term sustainability, intergenerational justice, an emphasis on active and informed citizenship, and a balance between individual and communal interests. At times, the common good may require all citizens to consider the needs of the broader community above the needs of any one individual, group, or organization.

Communitarian thought clearly contributes to the ethical dialogue in the health care context. This is particularly true with respect to issues such as the best use of limited health care resources, health care as a right, and the concept of healthy communities versus an emphasis on individual health.

Strengths of the communitarian perspective include the emphasis on strong connections between people, encouragement of collaboration, diminished emphasis on self-serving individualism, and sacrifice for the greater good as a measure of character. On the negative side, many would question how realistic it is to achieve a common set of global, or even local, values. We might also be concerned with the potential for erosion of individual rights and no systematic method for resolving ethical conflicts (Johnson, 2005).