Justice. Episode 12: Debating Same-sex Marriage / The Good Life by Michael Sandel. Episode 06: Mind Your Motive / The Supreme Principle of Morality He then asks us to examine our answers in the light of new scenarios. Is it “just” for schools to consider race and ethnicity as a factor in admissions? Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of “Justice” by Michael J. Sandel. Students first discuss the arguments in favor of redistributive taxation. And if that’s the case, is it possible to argue or to reason about the nature of the good life? for kiku, with love. In this lecture, a group of students (“Team Libertarianism”) are asked to defend the objections against Libertarianism. Lecture Sixteen: Immanuel Kant’s stringent theory of morality allows for no exceptions; he believed that telling a lie, even a white lie, is a violation of one’s own dignity. We all must have heard about the famous play Antigone by Sophocles and the Apology by Plato. Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? Using three approaches to justice-maximizing welfare, respecting freedom and promoting virtue-the author asks readers to ponder the meaning of the good life, the purpose of politics, how laws … Professor Sandel recaps the three different theories raised so far, concerning how income, wealth, and opportunities in life should be distributed. They both face an ethical tragedy where they don’t know what the right thing to do is but they still chose what’s best for them. Professor Sandel asks students—was this policy an example of free-market exchange? Sandel addresses one of the most glaring objections to Aristotle’s views on freedom—his defense of slavery. Florida residents were outraged that anyone would “try to capitalize on other people’s hardship and misery,” but economists pointed out that prices are determined by supply and demand in a market society (2-3). A short summary of this paper. The author (s) of the book is/are Michael J Sandel. Saša Rađenović. However, he argues, on the one hand the debate about these issues is unavoidable. CHECK IT OUT. Mill says that some help may come from looking at the history of the word. / What Do We Deserve? It exists because people believe it exists, and it means what they believe it to mean. This paper. Episode 04: This Land is My Land / Consenting Adults, Episode 05: Hired Guns? Lecture Fifteen: The idea of a penal sanction enters into any kind of wrong; in fact, something is considered wrong only when it is thought that the person should be punished either by law, opinion, or one's own conscience. Sensing this problem, Nicholas Wolterstorff, in his Justice: Rights and Wrongs (Princeton University Press, 2008), seeks to locate right and wrong first within God's divine nature and then subsequently in human nature as made in the image of God (Genesis 1). Democracy. contents dedication 1. doing the right thing 2. the greatest happiness principle / utilitarianism 3. do we own ourselves? John Locke is both a supporter and detractor from the theory of Libertarianism. Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?, based on a famous course that Sandel teaches, offers a discussion of what Sandel regards as the three main competing views of justice. Aristotle argues that when considering issues of distribution, one must consider the goal, the end, the purpose of what is being distributed. / For Sale: Motherhood, Episode 06: Mind Your Motive / The Supreme Principle of Morality, Episode 07: A Lesson in Lying / A Deal is a Deal. 2. Libertarian philosopher Robert Nozick makes the case that taxing the wealthy—to pay for housing, health care, and education for the poor—is a form of coercion. As students stand up to defend their conflicting choices, Sandel’s point is made. Is the argument in favor of promoting diversity a valid one? Therefore, law cannot be the ultimate standard of justice. The claim is rather that a person should only be influenced by those considerations that should apply in a given circumstance. Doesn’t that amount to taking an individual’s property without his/her consent? is a 2009 book on political philosophy by Michael J. Sandel. Lecture Twenty-One: 'Justice,' he writes, 'is inescapably judgmental.' / For Sale: Motherhood Fifth, it is considered unjust to show favoritism and preference in inappropriate circumstances. Professor Sandel presents Immanuel Kant’s and John Rawl’s objections to Aristotle who believe that individuals should be free and capable of choosing his or her ends. Fit, Episode 11: The Claims of Community / Where Our Loyalty Lies, Episode 12: Debating Same-sex Marriage / The Good Life. Professor Sandel leads a discussion about the arguments for and against our obligations of solidarity and membership in the smaller community of family and the larger community of the society at large. The limitation on the scope of the state's right to punish in particular cases has to do with practical concerns about extending the state's power, not with a sense that the person should not be punished. Lecture Twelve: Thus, moral obligation in general comes from the idea of duty, the idea that a person may rightly be compelled to do something. We find Antigone and Socrates in a similar dilemma as we read about them. Book Summary - Justice Chapter 3 - The Richest 1 Percent Of Americans. Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? Rather, it is our capacity to reason and choose freely that makes us unique, that sets us apart from mere animals. Episode 01: The Moral Side of Murder / The Case for Cannibalism, Episode 02: Putting a Price Tag on Life / How to Measure Pleasure. Aristotles theory of justice leads to a contemporary debate about golf. Nearly one thousand students pack Harvard’s historic Sanders Theatre to hear Professor Michael Sandel talk about justice, equality, democracy, and citizenship. This course aims to help viewers become more critically minded thinkers about the moral decisions we all face in our everyday lives. Justice is one of the most popular courses in Harvard University’s history. Lecture Eighteen: In this book the author explores the whole concept of justice and how differently it can be perceived by each one of us. Aristotle says virtue isn't acquired that way. If principles of justice depend on the moral or intrinsic worth of the ends that rights serve, how does society deal with the fact that people hold different ideas and conceptions of what is good? Sandel explains how John Rawls believes that personal “success” is more often a function of arbitrary issues for which we can claim no credit:luck, genetic good fortune, positive family circumstances. In … This summary is written by students who study efficient with the Study Tool of Study 1 Sandel: Justice whats the right thing to do. Ultimately, he argues that they are united by the concept of rights, a notion he introduces in his claims about perfect and imperfect obligations. Lecture Eight: “Self-knowledge is like lost innocence; however unsettling you find it, it can never be 'unthought' or … Fit However, it is not generally necessary to be impartial; for example, one doesn't have to be impartial in the selection of friends. Lecture Fourteen: 5 pages And if not, why not? To register for the 2015 course, visit https://www.edx.org/course/justice-harvardx-er22-1x-0. And isn’t wealth often achieved through sheer luck or family fortune? Michael J. Sandel discusses how there are three different approaches to justice: welfare, virtue, and freedom. The first of these takes welfare to be the criterion of justice. The Case for Cannibalism. It is significant that Mill does not present his own theory about what justice requires. Sandel asks, is this fair? However, this concept has exceptions. Episode 11: The Claims of Community / Where Our Loyalty Lies Sandel uses the examples of Bill Gates and Michael Jordan to explain Nozick’s theory that redistributive taxation is a form of forced labor. by Michael J. Sandel Here is a quick description and cover image of book Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? Imagine if they were all behind a “veil of ignorance”–if their individual identities were temporary unknown to them (their race, class, personal interests) and they had to agree on a set of laws together. Sandel introduces Robert Nozick, a libertarian philosopher, who argues that individuals have the fundamental right to choose how they want to live their own lives. What’s the Right Thing to Do? Would that principle, as a universal law, benefit everyone? But then Sandel presents three similar moral conundrums—each one artfully designed to make the decision increasingly complex. Ch. Lecture Nine: In the next section, he will go into the idea in greater detail. Sandel tells the true story of a 13-year old boy who won a spelling bee contest, but then admitted to the judges that he had, in fact, misspelled the final word. Sandel uses the example of a shopkeeper who passes up the chance to shortchange a customer only because he worries it would hurt his business. This is the summary of the book "Justice : what's the right thing to do?". And so, Locke argues, even though government is charged with looking after one’s individual rights, it is the majority that defines those rights. CHECK IT OUT. Book Summary - Justice Chapter 3 - The Richest 1 Percent Of Americans Sandel Chapter 6 - Summary Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? Is there a civic duty to serve one’s country? MICHAEL J. SANDEL Liberalism and the Limits ofJustice(; 2nd ed., ) Justice: A Reader, editor JUSTICE WHAT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO? Episode 01: The Moral Side of Murder / The Case for Cannibalism Sandel compares the salary of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor ($200,000) with the salary of Judge Judy ($25 million). legal philosophy A. Students discuss the issue of affirmative action and college admissions. Justice corresponds with the idea of perfect obligation: it involves the idea of a personal right. CHECK IT OUT. Lecture Ten: As individuals, how do we weigh our obligations to family against our obligations to community and to our country? Fit. The result is often surprising, revealing that important moral questions are never black and white. Lecture Six: PBS International opens the door to this classroom that has captivated more than 14,000 students. Download PDF. Mill has a different perspective on this issue, however. Mill, another Utilitarian philosopher, who argues that all human experience can be quantifiable, and that some kinds of pleasures are more desirable and more valuable than others. Claire ’s quest to win justice for Ill ’s betrayal propels the plot of The Visit, and she ultimately succeeds in taking Ill’s life and reputation as punishment for his wrongs.In many stories that depict a person avenging past wrongs, the ultimate verdict is seen to vindicate justice, truth, and morality. Aristotle’s theory of justice leads to a contemporary debate about golf, specifically “the purpose” of golf. by Michael Sandel. Or is it as equal, and as arbitrary, as favoring a star athlete? In examining this it is necessary to determine whether a sense of justice exists in itself, or is derivative and formed by a combination of other feelings; is this sense explicable by our emotional make-up, or is it a "special provision of nature"? This section is the first time that Mill spends any time writing about rights. Thus, in defining justice Mill looks to what other people mean by the term. Sandel tests this theory by showing the class three video clips—from The Simpsons, the reality show Fear Factor and Shakespeare’s Hamlet—then asks students to debate which of the three experiences qualifies as the “highest” pleasure. Episode 08: What’s a Fair Start? Mill begins by trying to pin down the meaning of justice, by coming up with a list of those things that are commonly classified as just or unjust. Episode 02: Putting a Price Tag on Life / How to Measure Pleasure In cases of justice, the person who has been wronged has had his or her moral right impinged upon; it is thus his or her moral right to seek restitution. At this point, Mill observes that while this discussion has given a true account of the origin and development of justice, it does not show a distinction from other forms of morality. Government shouldn’t have the power to enact laws that protect people from themselves (seat belt laws), to enact laws that force a moral value on society, or enact laws that redistribute income from the rich to the poor. He does that in a very effective way by forcing the reader to face real life situations in which he is suppose to decide what the right thing to do is. Michael Sandel offers an exemplary analysis of why morality is rarely a private matter, says Jonathan Rée. His theory is put to the test with a hypothetical case. Then and only then, Rawls argues, could a governing body agree upon truly fair principles of justice. What’s the right thing to do? The telos or goal of the state and political community is the good life. “Justice,” the book, is based on a course Sandel teaches at Harvard, which is one of the most popular classes on campus and has been made into a … But we do choose what we think is the best for us. Justice was initially a Harvard course but due to its popularity as one of the most highly attended in Harvard's history, Sandel decided to give us a book where all the wisdom he imparted on the course, could be given by this medium as well. Lecture 1. Lecture Five: Sandel describes bizarre presents examples of the modern-day “business” of sperm and egg donation. After 19 days lost at sea, the captain decides to kill the cabin boy, the weakest amongst them, so they can feed on his blood and body to survive. Episode 05: Hired Guns? Sandel introduces Aristotle’s theory of justice which, simply put, is giving people what they are due, what they deserve. Part 2 Freedom vs. Professor Sandel introduces Immanuel Kant—one of the most challenging and difficult thinkers in his course. The ISBN of the book is 9780141041339 or 0141041331. CHECK IT OUT. Watch the Justice Course. Professor Sandel raises two questions. The assumptions behind our moral reasoning are often contradictory, and the question of what is right and what is wrong is not always black and white. From Mill's perspective, justice is not an abstract concept so much as it is a sentiment about morality that many people share. Using the example of same-sex marriage, students debate whether it is possible to detach moral permissibility of sexuality from the end or purpose of marriage. Rawls rejects teleological accounts of justice, because he says that teleological theories of justice threaten the equal rights of citizens. But 24 hours after giving birth, Whitehead decided she wanted to keep the child and the case went to court. Lecture 2. Lecture Twenty-Three: justice what’s the right thing to do? by Michael Sandel. Professor Michael Sandel launches into his lecture series by presenting students with a hypothetical scenario that has the majority of students voting for killing one person in order to save the lives of five others. Lecture Seven: Episode 10: The Good Citizen / Freedom vs. In this 12-part series, Sandel challenges us with difficult moral dilemmas and asks our opinion about the right thing to do. Episode 09: Arguing Affirmative Action / What’s the Purpose? However, once we agree to enter into society, we are consenting to being governed by a system of laws. Lecture Twenty-Two: Lecture Three: Lecture Seventeen: In this 12-part series, Sandel challenges us with difficult moral dilemmas and asks our opinion about the right thing to do. Many utilitarians dismiss the idea of rights as nonsense, and many debates about utilitarianism center around whether rights exist. This leads to a classroom debate about the contemporary questions surrounding war and conscription. He argues that this concept of deserving or not deserving punishment is the essence of moral thinking in general. Imperfect obligations are those that no one person has the right to require of another. That wouldn’t be considered a moral action, according to Kant, because he wasn’t doing the right thing …for the right reason. 1 Doing the right thing. This leads to a discussion of the fairness of pay differentials in today’s society. Moreover, common sense tells you to do the right thing just because it's the right thing and not for some other reason. The case leads to a debate among students about the moral validity of the Utilitarian theory of maximizing overall happiness—often summed up with the slogan “the greatest good for the greatest number.”. He then asks us to examine our answers in the light of new scenarios. Students debate whether the PGA was wrong in not allowing a disabled golfer, Casey Martin, to use a golf cart during professional tournaments. Does it violate individual rights? During the Civil War, men were conscripted to fight in the war—but draftees were allowed to pay hired substitutes to fight in their place. To answer this, we must ascertain what the distinguishing quality of justice is, if there is such a quality. If you had to choose between killing one person or five, what would you do? Lecture One: It’s the kind of thing we can only learn by doing. Don’t the poor need and deserve the social services they receive? Libertarians believe the ideal state is a society with minimal governmental interference. Justice must be understood beyond what is the right way to distribute things, it is also about the right way to value things.Sandel concludes with four possible themes for the "new politics of the common good", which he hoped at the Aristotle (384 -322 BC) Citizenship, Sacrifice and Service: "If a just society requires a strong sense of community, it must find a way to cultivate in citizens a concern for the whole, a … The judge that was honoring the case had to decide whether enforcing the contract would be the right thing to do. Sorting out these contradictions sharpens our own moral convictions and gives us the moral clarity to better understand the opposing views we confront in a democracy. Lecture Eleven: Morality of an action depends solely on the consequences it brings about; the right thing to do is whatever will produce the best state of affairs, all things considered. How does John Locke square away the conflict between 1) his belief that individuals have an unalienable right to life, liberty, and property and 2) that government—through majority rule—can tax individuals without their consent? Justice What S The Right Thing To Do. Justice Summary and Study Guide. For him, it’s a matter of fitting a person’s virtues with their appropriate roles. Lecture Four: 89% (27) Pages: 5 year: 2016/2017. Using this story and others, Sandel explains Kant’s test for determining whether an action is morally right: when making a decision, imagine if the moral principle behind your actions became a universal law that everyone had to live by. Thus, the most primitive element of justice is the idea of conformity to law. / libertarianism 4. hired help / markets and … This leads to a discussion about the objections to Utilitarianism: is it fair to give more weight to the values of a majority, even when the values of the majority may be ignoble or inhumane? In most languages, the word's origin came from either positive law or authoritative custom. Download Full PDF Package. Mill argues that justice can be distinguished from other forms of morality by looking at the difference between perfect and imperfect obligations. First, it is considered unjust to deprive someone of his legal rights. But how do we know the purpose of a community or a practice? Michael Sandel concludes his lecture series by making the point that we, as individuals, may never agree on many moral philosophical issues. Sandel introduces the modern philosopher John Rawls and his theory of a “hypothetical contract”. Brief Summary of Book: Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? For example, a person may have legal rights he should not have--his rights may be the provision of a bad law. This leads to a discussion of “misleading truths”–and the example of how President Clinton used precise language to deny having sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky, without outright lying to the public. This section is mostly descriptive, as Mill writes about the definition of justice and its historical origins. How does it size up against the argument that a student’s efforts and achievements should carry more weight? And those citizens who contribute most to the purpose of the community are the ones who should be most rewarded. Finally, the idea of equality is seen by many to be a component of justice; some people may make an exception for the sake of expediency, however. Rawls argues that the only way to achieve the most just and fair principles of governance is if all legislators came to the bargaining table in a position of equality. written by Michael J. Sandel which was published in 2005– . Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? Here Mill responds to the claim that utilitarianism is opposed to justice. What role does patriotism play? Morality is a matter of having the right attitude, or acting for the right … If you live in a society that has a system of progressive taxation, aren’t you obligated to pay your taxes? John Rawls applied his “veil of ignorance” theory to social and economic equality issues, as well as fair governance. Mill also recognizes, however, that the idea of justice is often applied to areas about which we would not want legislation: for example, we always think it right that unjust acts be punished, even if we recognize that it would be inexpedient for courts to acts as punishers in particular cases. A fourth form of injustice is to violate an agreement with someone or disappoint expectations that one knowingly nurtured. Or was it a form of coercion, because the lower class surely had more of a financial incentive to serve? Episode 07: A Lesson in Lying / A Deal is a Deal Markets & Morals ... “We need to rediscover the lost art of democratic argument.” –Michael Sandel. Justice Quotes by Michael J. Sandel. Now this is where market and morals come into play. Episode 04: This Land is My Land / Consenting Adults Episode 09: Arguing Affirmative Action / What’s the Purpose? According to Michael Sandel, in his book, Justice: What 's the Right Thing to Do, an important concept of implementing justice is giving all individuals what they deserve. Nevertheless, people do see justice as a unified concept, and do feel a sentiment of justice regardless of whether they understand its foundation. Chapter 1 Summary: “Doing the Right Thing” Sandel opens with stories of price gouging in the wake of a 2004 hurricane. But what of effort—the individual who strives harder and longer to succeed—how should his/her “effort” be valued? Kant believes we, as individuals, are sacred and the bearer of rights, but not because we own ourselves. Lecture Nineteen: Lecture Two: For Mill, a right means that a person has a valid claim that society to protect him against any violation. Given so many different applications of the concept of justice, it is hard to find what links them all together, and on what concept the sentiment of justice is based. The theme of the book is on how and what is considered moral. The result is often surprising, revealing that important moral questions are never black and white. Concepts of justice may differ based on your society 's practices, beliefs, and feelings. Lecture Twenty: In the next section Mill will defend rights, and do so under a utilitarian framework. An icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon. And on the other hand, it is a worthwhile opportunity for all of us to better appreciate the values of others. Perfect obligations are those that a person may demand of another. T he first thing that must be said about Michael Sandel’s book, Justice, is that it is a remarkable educational achievement.The book is a distillation of a course Sandel has taught at Harvard for thirty years—one of the most popular courses ever taught at the college. And when we act out of duty (doing something because it is right) only then do our actions have moral worth. Is today’s voluntary army really voluntary, given that many recruits come from a disproportionately lower economic background? Mill argues that if society values the higher pleasures, and values justice, then society as a whole will be better off in the long run. This summary is written by students who study efficient with the Study Tool of Study Smart With Chris. Chapter 5: Of the Connection between Justice and Utility (Part 1), Chapter 4: Of what sort of Proof the Principle of Utility is Susceptible, Chapter 5: Of the Connection between Justice and Utility (Part 2), Chapter 2: What Utilitarianism Is (Part 1), Chapter 2: What Utilitarianism Is (Part 2), Chapter 3: Of the Ultimate Sanction of the Principle of Utility. / What Do We Deserve? Justice is the legal or philosophical theory by which fairness is administered. Syrian Refugee Crisis Subculture Essay - Grade: B Ch 6 Exceptional Learners Fin 4620 Cumulative Project ch13. To use Rawls’ phrase, ‘the right is prior to the good’ – in other words, the demands of justice have nothing to do with what people value. This leads to an introduction to the communitarian view. A second form of injustice comes from depriving someone of something he has a moral right to possess. Lecture Twenty-Two: John Locke on the issue of taxation and consent. And, as long as government doesn’t target a particular group for taxation—if it isn’t arbitrary—then taxation isn’t a violation of the fundamental rights of individuals. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The Greeks and Romans realized that there could be bad laws, and thus justice came to be associated only to those laws that ought to exist, including those that should exist but do not. Justice corresponds with the idea of perfect obligation: it involves the idea of a personal right. According to Kant, it's common sense that you should always do your duty. Episode 03: Freedom to Choose / Who Owns Me? Sandel then takes the debate a step further, using the famous legal case of “Baby M”, which raised the question of “who owns a baby”? Abstract: "More than exhilarating; exciting in its ability to persuade this student/reader, time and again, that the principle now being invoked—on this page, in this chapter—is the one to deliver the sufficiently inclusive guide to the making of a decent life." Professor Sandel applies the issue of free-market exchange to a contemporary and controversial new area: reproductive rights. Episode 10: The Good Citizen / Freedom vs. Students debate these questions with a further discussion about government’s role in deciding the purpose of marriage. Consequences are not all we should care about, morally speaking; certain duties and right should command our respect, for reasons independent of the social consequences. Sandel introduces J.S. Starting from the popular conception of justice, Mill theorizes about what links a diverse set of ideas about justice. Students discuss other objections to Aristotle’s theories and debate whether his philosophy limits the freedom of individuals. And what are the obligations of citizenship? Jeremy Bentham’s late 18th century Utilitarian theory—summed up as “the greatest good for the greatest number”—is often used today under the name of “cost-benefit analysis.” Sandel presents some contemporary examples where corporations used this theory—which required assigning a dollar value on human lives—to make important business decisions. Episode 08: What’s a Fair Start? Download. Related Studylists. Using various scenarios, students debate whether and when loyalty outweighs duty. In cases of justice, the person who has been wronged has had his or her moral right impinged upon; it is thus his or her moral right to seek restitution. What counts as just is what leads to the best consequences. He asks, if every citizen had to weigh in on the issue of redistributive taxation—without knowing whether they would end up as one of the poor or one of the wealthy members of society—wouldn’t most of us prefer to eliminate our financial risks and agree to an equal distribution of wealth? His rigorous and sophisticated philosophy gives Christians a confident footing to begin answering the questions justice poses today. Lecture Thirteen: Students discuss the morality of selling human life, the legal issues surrounding consent and contracts, and the power of maternal rights. The Moral Side of Murder. Locke argues that in the “state of nature”, before any political structure has been established, every human has certain natural rights to life, liberty—and property. Mary Beth Whitehead signed a contract with a New Jersey couple in the mid-eighties, agreeing to be their surrogate mother, in exchange for a large fee. He summarizes libertarianism, the meritocratic system, and the egalitarian theory. Immanuel Kant says that in so far as our actions have moral worth, what confers moral worth is precisely our capacity to rise above self-interest and inclination and to act out of duty. Sandel introduces the principles of Utilitarian philosopher, Jeremy Bentham, with a famous 19th century law case involving a shipwrecked crew of four. Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? Third, it is considered just that a person receive what he "deserves," and unjust that he obtain something he doesn't deserve; people are thought to deserve good things if they have done right, and evil things if they have done wrong. READ PAPER. Is it necessary to reason about the good life in order to decide what is just and what rights people have? Of course a deal is deal, two adults had formed a voluntary agreement that offered benefits to both parties. 37 Full PDFs related to this paper. In this chapter, then, Mill will determine whether the justice or injustice of an action is something intrinsic and distinct from questions of utility. Episode 03: Freedom to Choose / Who Owns Me? While people vary on whether bad laws can be justly disobeyed, all people agree that laws can be unjust.