Overview
Reflection #4: What is Justice?
Due Sunday by 11:59pm Points 10 Submitting a text entry box
The Video
Title: “The Lost Art of Democratic Debate”
Speaker: Michael Sandel, Harvard University
Length: ~20 minutes
Where to watch: https://www.ted.com/talks/michael_sandel_the_lost_... to an external site.
(Also available by searching “Michael Sandel democratic debate” on YouTube.)
Background
Michael Sandel is one of the most prominent political philosophers alive today. His work focuses on justice, democracy, and what he calls the “moral limits of markets.” In this talk, Sandel argues that healthy democracy depends on citizens being willing to argue openly about deep questions of justice — not just practical compromise. As you watch, pay attention to how his ideas connect to the thinkers we’ve discussed in Chapter 11, especially Rawls, Locke, and the debate over distributive justice.
Reflection Prompts
Respond to both prompts below. Each response should be 1–2 paragraphs in length. You don’t need to use formal academic language, write clearly and in your own voice.
Your reaction. Was there a moment in the talk where you found yourself agreeing or disagreeing strongly with Sandel? Describe that moment and explain your reaction. What values or assumptions are behind your response?
The bigger picture. Sandel uses a golf case (PGA Tour v. Martin) to show that questions of justice are unavoidable, even in everyday decisions. Can you think of a current real-world example (a law, a policy debate, a news story) where a similar question of justice is at stake? Briefly describe it and explain what kind of justice question it raises.