Product Description

Is killing sometimes morally required? Is the free market fair? It is sometimes wrong to tell the truth? What is justice, and what does it mean? These and other questions are at the heart of Michael Sandel's Justice. Considering the role of justice in our society and our lives, he reveals how an understanding of philosophy can help to make sense of politics, religion, morality - and our own convictions. Breaking down hotly contested issues, from abortion, euthanasia and same-sex marriage, to patriotism, dissent and affirmative action, Sandel shows how the biggest questions in our civiv life can be broken down and illuminated through reasoned debate. Justice promises to take readers - of all ages and political persuasions - on an exhilarating journey to confront controversies in a fresh and enlightening way.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2418 in Books
• Published on: 2009-09-24
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Review
Justice is a lucid and compelling analysis of our current moral dilemmas, which argues for a new commitment to citizenship and the common good (Shirley Williams )

Sandel dazzles in this sweeping survey of hot topics . . . Erudite, conversational and deeply humane, this is truly transformative reading (Publishers Weekly )

An ambitious and an appealing idea. Intriguingly, I find myself persuaded that it might well be worth a try (Lisa Jardine, The TImes )

One of the world's most interesting political philosophers . . . Sandel makes his case not with the usual philosopher's hypotheticals but with news stories torn out of the papers (Guardian )

In the beautifully concise explanations of American philosopher Michael Sandel, I see great insight into our current predicaments. If any political reckoning is on its way . . . then perhaps it might come from the philosophy department of Harvard (Madeleine Bunting )

About the Author
Michael Sandel is the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government at the University of Harvard. Sandel’s legendary 'Justice' course is one of the most popular and influential at Harvard with up to a thousand students enrolling every year. In 2007, Harvard made Sandel’s course available to alumni around the world through webstreaming and podcasting.Over 5,000 participants signed up for “Justice Online,” and Harvard Clubs from Mexico to Australia organized local discussion groups in connection with the course. Michael Sandel has lectured widely in Europe, China, India, Australia and North America. In May 2007 he delivered a series of lectures at major universities in China and he has been a visiting professor at the Sorbonne, Paris. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Council on Foreign Relations. Sandel is the author of many books and has previously written for the Atlantic Monthly, the New Republic and the New York Times. He will be delivering the 2009 Reith Lectures for the BBC.

Customer Reviews

Interesting introduction
As someone who has always found political philosophy a difficult subject to engage with, I found this book to be a fascinating introduction. Most importantly it was easy to read, the writing flowed and the ideas were clearly expressed. It is possible that for some people with more knowledge or who are familiar with Sandel's earlier work may find that it is too 'soft'. I really don't know, it depends what you come to the book with. But for anyone with a general interest this is a book I heartily recommend.

To be avoided
THis is nowhere near as good as PUBLIC PHILOSOPHY - a book by Sandel published a few years ago. It reads like lecture notes and has the boredom and dust of the first year undergradate course written all over it.