Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
What is justice? How can we make fair and moral decisions in a complex and diverse world? These are some of the questions that Harvard professor Michael Sandel tackles in his bestselling book Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?, which has been translated into 27 languages and adapted into a popular online course.
Sandel is one of the most influential political philosophers of our time, and his book is a masterful introduction to the intersection of politics, morality, and philosophy. He invites us to join him on a journey of moral reflection, where we examine our own beliefs and values through the lens of different ethical theories and real-life dilemmas.
Sandel does not shy away from controversial and hotly debated topics, such as the role of the state, the distribution of wealth, the rights of minorities, the limits of markets, and the meaning of human dignity. He presents the arguments of various thinkers, such as Aristotle, Jeremy Bentham, Immanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill, Robert Nozick, and John Rawls, with clarity and accessibility, while also challenging us to question our own assumptions and biases.
Sandel’s book is not a dry academic treatise, but a lively and engaging dialogue with the reader. He uses examples from history, literature, pop culture, and current events to illustrate his points and to provoke our curiosity and imagination. He also invites us to participate in his famous “Justice” lectures, where he engages his students and audience in spirited debates and polls about hypothetical and actual cases.
One of the strengths of Sandel’s book is that he does not impose his own views on the reader, but rather encourages us to think for ourselves and to develop our own moral reasoning. He does not pretend that there are easy answers or simple formulas for justice, but rather shows us the complexity and richness of moral discourse. He also does not claim to have the final word on any issue, but rather offers his own perspective and invites us to agree or disagree with him.
Sandel’s book is a timely and relevant contribution to our public discourse, especially in a time of polarization and division. He reminds us that justice is not a spectator sport, but a civic virtue that requires our active participation and deliberation. He also shows us that philosophy is not a remote and abstract discipline, but a vital and practical one that can help us make sense of our lives and our society.
Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? is a book that will challenge, enlighten, and inspire you. It is a book that will make you think, and perhaps even change your mind. It is a book that will make you a better citizen, and perhaps even a better person.
