Lectures tagged "The Right Thing to Do"

Debating Same-Sex Marriage / The Good Life
Michael Sandel
November 29, 2009
00:55:10
Lecture Twenty-Two: "Debating Same-Sex Marriage" 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?
The Claims of Community / Where Our Loyalty Lies
Michael Sandel
November 22, 2009
00:55:10
Lecture Twenty-One: “The Claims of Community” 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. This leads to an introduction to the communitarian view.
The Good Citizen / Freedom vs. Fit
The Good Citizen / Freedom vs. Fit
Michael Sandel
November 15, 2009
Lecture Nineteen: "The Good Citizen" Aristotle's theory of justice leads to a contemporary debate about golf, specifically "the purpose" of golf. Students debate whether the PGA was wrong in not allowing a disabled golfer, Casey Martin, to use a golf cart during professional tournaments.
Arguing Affirmative Action / What’s the Purpose?
Arguing Affirmative Action / What’s the Purpose?
Michael Sandel
November 8, 2009
00:55:00
Lecture Seventeen: "Arguing Affirmative Action" Students discuss the issue of affirmative action and college admissions. Is it "just" for schools to consider race and ethnicity as a factor in admissions? Does it violate individual rights?
What’s a Fair Start? / What Do We Deserve?
What’s a Fair Start? / What Do We Deserve?
Michael Sandel
November 1, 2009
00:55:06
Lecture Fifteen: "What's a Fair Start?" John Rawls applied his "veil of ignorance" theory to social and economic equality issues, as well as fair governance.
A Lesson in Lying / A Deal Is A Deal
Michael Sandel
October 25, 2009
00:55:04
Lecture Thirteen: "A Lesson in Lying" 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. His theory is put to the test with a hypothetical case.
Mind Your Motive / The Supreme Principle of Morality
Michael Sandel
October 18, 2009
00:55:13
Lecture Eleven: "Mind Your Motive" Professor Sandel introduces Immanuel Kant -- one of the most challenging and difficult thinkers in his course. Kant believes we, as individuals, are sacred and the bearer of rights, but not because we own ourselves.
Hired Guns? / For Sale: Motherhood
Hired Guns? / For Sale: Motherhood
Michael Sandel
October 11, 2009
00:55:10
Lecture Nine: "Hired Guns?" 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. Professor Sandel asks students -- was this policy an example of free-market exchange?