Good means “pleasing, favorable, nice” or “having qualities appropriate to its purpose.” When someone does something good, he or she behaves ethically. A good person is morally correct and obeys rules, instructions, and social expectations. A good idea is one that has positive outcomes for people, the environment, or society. The new law is a good idea because it will reduce pollution and increase revenue for the state.

In a story, a good hero fights for what is right and does what is necessary to achieve success. A good story is compelling and keeps the reader engaged. Good writing is clear, concise, and logically structured. It also avoids complex vocabulary, pretentious diction, and personal appeals. It is engaging for readers and accessible to non-experts.

Good ideas are those that make a difference to the world and can be understood by a wide audience. They are original and solve a problem. They are practical, feasible, and innovative. Good ideas are often found in brainstorming sessions, where many people contribute to a discussion. However, it is difficult to objectively select the best ideas from all the ideas generated.

One of the most enduring philosophical theories of good is utilitarianism, a school of thought that prioritizes social arrangements and goods according to their contribution to the overall happiness or well-being of human beings. Other schools of thought of good include deontological ethics, which emphasizes adherence to a set of moral duties and virtues, and Kantian idealism, which believes that an absolute and objective good exists.

It’s important to understand what makes an idea good and how that relates to the larger goal of the project or task at hand. When everyone has a clear understanding of the desired end result, it is easier to generate ideas that are a good fit for those goals.

A key part of a brainstorming session is establishing the criteria for what constitutes a good idea, such as how it will help achieve the goal and who will evaluate its effectiveness. It is also important to clarify what will be done with the good ideas that are generated.

Several years ago, Nobel laureate Doris Lessing experimented with her literary career by sending her books to her publisher under a pen name. They rejected her work, but she published it anyway under her own name. It became a critical and commercial success. It is difficult to write good books.

In informal speech and some edited written works, the adjective good is often used as a predicate to verbs like taste, smell, look, feel, or see: The biscuits taste very good. She sees good with her new glasses. However, in formal speech and edited writing, the adverb well is generally preferred: He did well on the test. She feels good today.