In the interest of the common good

Recently I met a politician who told me that he stood four-square against divorce but was unsure about what he would do should the divorce Bill get to Parliament.

He felt that if he voted against divorce, he might be imposing his views on others. This politician felt trapped in a dilemma.

Such a dilemma is shared by many others who feel that they want to take the right decision and yet not "impose" their views on others who may have a differing opinion to theirs. One way to resolve this dilemma is to consider one's duty to promote the common good. Indeed, if one believes that divorce will go against the common good, then it follows that a choice against divorce signifies a commitment towards promoting this common good.

In this sense, by voting against divorce, one is not forcing one's views on other people but rather exercising his/her right of voting in the interest of the common good or what one believes will benefit society as a whole.