Justice: What's The Right Thing To Do? Episode 10: "THE GOOD CITIZEN"
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Published 2009-09-09
PART ONE: THE GOOD CITIZEN
Aristotle believes the purpose of politics is to promote and cultivate the virtue of its citizens. The telos or goal of the state and political community is the good life. And those citizens who contribute most to the purpose of the community are the ones who should be most rewarded. But how do we know the purpose of a community or a practice? Aristotles theory of justice leads to a contemporary debate about golf. Sandel describes the case of Casey Martin, a disabled golfer, who sued the PGA after it declined his request to use a golf cart on the PGA Tour. The case leads to a debate about the purpose of golf and whether a players ability to walk the course is essential to the game.
PART TWO: FREEDOM VS. FIT
How does Aristotle address the issue of individual rights and the freedom to choose? If our place in society is determined by where we best fit, doesnt that eliminate personal choice? What if I am best suited to do one kind of work, but I want to do another? In this lecture, Sandel addresses one of the most glaring objections to Aristotles views on freedom—his defense of slavery as a fitting social role for certain human beings. Students discuss other objections to Aristotles theories and debate whether his philosophy overly restricts the freedom of individuals.
All Comments (21)
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Sandel NEVER misspeaks or displays ANY sort of verbal tic. Everything he says is 100% coherent and seemingly thought through, almost as if he's reading from a script made by a brilliantly gifted writer. It's the same whether he's doing these lectures, the BBC4 public philosophy shows or various interviews. It really is not just pretty impressive but truly awe inspiring - especially for a fellow teacher.
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These lectures are great! Who is still here in 2020?
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Sandel's eloquent lectures restore my faith in humanity.
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I never had a lecture like this in real life. Professor Sandel surely changed my perspective about learnings and group meetings and discussions. My life would never be the same, I may not remember all these lectures but I will not deny the fact that I've learned something exceptional and unforgettable, and that is the love of knowledge and the passion of sharing it amongst people with humility and understanding. In school and university learning and lectures for me are always tied up with words of being not good enough and pressure of learning but now I know the value of quality education. Learning is fun đź’š From Philippines, 2021
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All these videos have made me thing about many things. I know that I wasn't the best student when I was at school, but there's one thing for sure. I would have loved having a teacher as professor Sandel. His lectures are great! I've been having a great time watching all these video lectures. He has showed me a new way of learning on the internet. I am not a native speaker of english, I am sorry in advance if I have committed any grammar mistakes. Eveytime I watch professor Sandel's lectures I feel humble as a human being. Have a great day!
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It's​ Feb.8, 2022​ and​ I'm​ here​ enjoying this​ lecture. Very​ worthwhile.
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I’m still here, and the students restore my faith as well.
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It is really incredible the way he weaves each lesson, one into the other. Enjoyable and easy to follow. Thank you Harvard for the contribution. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
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I really like the way professor Michael Sandel responds and summarizes the points of these students. He links Patrick's point of the uncertainty of the conception of good and Mary Kate's point of freedom when deciding one's role. Michael Sandel then points out what is at stake: the priority between goodness and right, and the definition of a free person, which are topics of the next class. Amazing.
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These lectures are great! Who is still here in 2021?
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If I can turn on youtube to watch Dr Sandel all 12 lecture videos more than I don’t know how many times. I have full confidence that As a college student, I would have attended all of his 8am lectures If I had registered to the course on site.
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35:19 looks like sandel touched a nerve there LMFAO
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It is really good to see real debates amongst young people in this lecture hall and in these comment threads. People are actually using real examples of their perspective to convey an opinion with substance. Great lectures and should give the human species a glimpse of faith for the future. If these people can raise to the status of actionable viewpoints, we have a brighter future for mankind.
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Excellent Teacher!!! Michael Sandel is a gifted orator. It's so inspiring to listening to such great lectures. God bless you.
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Very well done lecture. Â This may have been Sandel's best in the series. Â Objective and informative. Â The students also added a lot in their rich, varied answers.
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They should play these videos in Congress. Maybe they will learn to intelligently debate issues
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Professor Micheal Sandel is a brilliant lecturer n skillful in putting interesting questions to the graduated students audiences after finishing his tutorial course sessions. I always like to hear his lecturing sessions with admirations n great respects as well. Harvard University has acquired most of the brilliant professors in every faculties. Grateful n highly appreciated for having the opportunities to watch on the youtube.
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"I WISH I WAS THERE TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION" is a common thought when watching this
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Thank you for sharing your reflections Chikeeze. Truly a good description of how we in this reciprocal communication can lift one another, and allow our gifts, strengths and talents to peak!
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Thank you very much for posting these lectures. I am a student of Philosophy in United Kingdom and these lectures are of great help. A very good series indeed!
