Justice: A Reader

by Michael J. Sandel (Editor)

Justice brings together in one indispensable volume essential readings on justice and moral reasoning. With readings from major thinkers from the classical era up to the present, the collection provides a thematic overview of the concept of justice. Moreover, Sandel's organization of the readings and his own commentaries allow readers to engage with a variety of pressing contemporary issues. Looking at a host of ethical dilemmas, including affirmative action, conscription, income distribution, and gay rights, from a variety of angles--morally, legally, politically--the collection engages with the core concerns of political philosophy: individual rights and the claims of community, equality and inequality, morality and law, and ultimately, justice. With concise section introductions that put the readings in context, this anthology is an invaluable tool for students, teachers, and anyone who wishes to engage in the great moral debates that have animated politics from classical
times to our own.

Genres: Philosophy, Politics, Nonfiction, Law

412 pages, Paperback

Published September 27, 2007

About the author

Michael J. Sandel is an American political philosopher who lives in Brookline, Massachusetts. He is the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government at Harvard University, where he has taught since 1980. He is best known for the Harvard course 'Justice', which is available to view online, and for his critique of John Rawls' A Theory of Justice in his first book, Liberalism and the Limits of Justice (1982). He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2002.

Reviews

[Magdelanye · Rating 4 out of 5]

an interesting if overly academic collection
enjoyed intro and commentary

[Jennifer Ryu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author, Michael J. Sandel is the Harvard professor and he gives a lecture about the ‘Justice’ in actual class in Harvard. His class is selected most influential lecture by students. This book shows how people could react about falling into ethical dilemma, is that right or not? There are some questions that we have to think about. The government should get taxes from rich people to help poor people? Is it wrong to say truth sometimes? Should we murder in ethical way? It is all about the questions that we confront about the ‘right’ and he explained those answers in persuasive way. I think I have to read several times to understand what the justice about it. I feel like I am taking Harvard class while I am reading this book.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished 80%. Pretty good mix of ancient/classics with modern day applications (eg affirmative action), though I was surprised sandal started with utilitarianism. Still need to finish kants works, but overall a good reader to help see the progression of ideas over time

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the text for Prof. Michael Sandler's Justice course at Harvard which he teaches in a huge Victorian lecture Hall seating hundreds of students. It's the most popular course at Harvard.. Sandler takes contemporary problems, ranging from the acceptance of a contract to surrogate mothers to affirmative action and shows you how to use the reasoning of the great philosophers to solve them.
This book of readings has extracts from Aristotle, Locke, Kant, Bentham, Mill, Rawls and other contemporary thinkers. This is a book that teaches you how to think and how to argue. One of the best and most helpful books I've ever read.

[Acharya · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a deep discussion about original writings of Jeremy Bentham, John Lock, Immanuel Kant,J.S.Mill and many political philosophies. One of the best read in the recent past. Was overwhelmed to listen to Michael J. Sandel live. Watched his Harvard sessions too, but book definitely stands one step further.

Worth the time and energy invested. It opens of new arena of thoughts and takes you into a 'highly moral' world and storms your 'most discussed' and 'less-discussed' aspects of life. Your "thoughts and approach" won't be the same once you are out of this book.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book in increments over a long period of time for a Sunday School book study. A bit heavy on the philosopy and history for my personal tastes. If you're into studying how different thinkers have considered moral decision-making over time, and how ideas of justice (personal and societal) have evolved over time, this book is for you. My chapter to lead was the one on Immanuel Kant. Whoa! Heavy stuff.

[Chris Parkin]

Although this book is in a sense.... masterly.....it is not for me because it is, I believe, for students of and practitioners of law, whereas I am an ordinary reader, of fiction...where law quite often enters the story but as a background feature (as architecture and medical science, etc. might similarly be). So...not a good purchase for me. Of course I enjoy Michael Sandel's great You-tube lectures.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains the readings of the philosophers discussed in Michael Sandel's highly rated Harvard course on Justice. If you want to do a deep dive into the original writings of Jeremy Bentham, John Lock, Immanuel Kant, etc., this is the place.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think it will be awesome

[Mellissa Riddle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A challenging read. Great for reference.