What Justifies the Power of the State? (Part One)
Philosopher Michael Sandel discusses two approaches to liberalism, what he terms libertarian liberalism and egalitarian liberalism. He also talks about his own reluctance to be labeled as a communitarian, because he feels the term is often used syno...
What Justifies the Power of the State? (Part Two)
Philosopher Michael Sandel talks about the views of government held by John Locke and Aristotle. According to Professor Sandel, Locke believed "government was founded on consent." As for Aristotle, Professor Sandel explains that he thought politics ...
What Justifies the State?: Issues That Separate Liberals and Communitarians
Emphasis on the common good places communitarians in direct conflict with liberals who claim the state must leave people free to pursue their own values. Michael Sandel, Ronald Dworkin, and Charles Taylor "debate" the issue in a fascinating exchange...
What Justifies the State?: Communitarian Ideal: Nurturing Community Values, The
Certain obligations, communitarians assert, express the moral bonds that tie us to the traditions and culture of the community. Philosopher David Wong experienced these expectations growing up in a Chinese-American family. He was expected to contrib...
What Justifies the State?: Communitarian Ideal: Aristotle, The
The liberal view that government must be neutral and allow individuals the right to choose their own values and ends is criticized by communitarians. Communitarians believe in the organic nature of the state and the importance of belonging to a comm...
What Justifies the State?: Communitarian Ideal: Hegel, The
German philosopher Georg Hegel, like Aristotle, sees the family as the most basic human group. When children grow up and move beyond the family they form new bonds that attach them to the values of their culture. It is within the state, Hegel assert...
Liberalism and the Self
Philosopher Michael Sandel discusses his criticism of the liberal political philosophy that says government shouldn't affirm any particular conception of the good life, but should instead provide a framework of rights within which people can choose ...
Moral Pluralism
Philosopher Michael Sandel argues that the fact that we live in a morally pluralistic society shouldn't deter us from seeking to create a political system based on the common good--even if there is widespread disagreement about what constitutes the ...
Encumbered Self, The
Philosopher Michael Sandel expands on his idea of the encumbered self--the notion that we may be claimed by certain moral ties that can't be accounted for as duties we owe human beings, or as obligations we've chosen, as in through an act of consent.
Abortion Rights and Slavery
Philosopher Michael Sandel criticizes those who contend the Supreme Court should be neutral on the question of when life begins (the position that led to the Roe v. Wade decision). He is also critical of those who thought the court should be neutral...