Abstract

Contrary to the recent argument developed by Matthew Kramer, edificatory perfectionism is an integral part of the purpose of the state and as such is required by justice. This claim can be supported by an appropriate understanding of the common good and the principle of subsidiarity. The purpose of the state rests in its duty to secure for its citizens the common good, which is a set of conditions under which all individuals and associations can attain for themselves various reasonable goods or cooperate together to attain them. This includes perfectionist goods, such as living in a favourable moral environment. The relationship between the common good and justice is clarified by the application of the principle of subsidiarity. Its negative formulation is well known as a principle limiting the government’s competence. I draw attention to the positive formulation, which mandates that the state is obliged to assist when individuals and communities cannot achieve their reasonable goals, including perfectionist ones, by themselves. This obligation, though enabling perfectionist actions, is still limited by prudential considerations and plurality of intrinsic goods which requires respect for personal freedom.