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Michael J. Sandel (Harvard University, United States)
Michael Sandel, Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government at Harvard University, has writings spanning justice, ethics, democracy, and markets translated in 27 languages. His course "Justice" is available online and on TV, reaching millions worldwide and earning him recognition that led him to be named as the most influential scholar in the world.
Michael Sandel's books explore timeless political philosophy themes in contemporary moral and civic questions. Notable titles include What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets, Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? " The Case against Perfection: Ethics in the Age of Genetic Engineering; Public Philosophy: Essays on Morality in Politics; Democracy’s Discontent: America in Search of a Public Philosophy; and Liberalism and the Limits of Justice..
Michael Sandel delivered lectures at esteemed institutions such as the Sorbonne, Oxford, and the Kellogg Lecture on Jurisprudence at the U.S. Library of Congress. Sandel's global lectures have attracted diverse audiences across five continents. In his recent BBC program, "The Global Philosopher," Sandel leads virtual discussions connecting individuals from more than 30 countries to delve into the ethical dimensions of topics like immigration and climate change. In the U.S., he's served on the President's Council on Bioethics and is an American Academy of Arts and Sciences member.
Democracy Today
A Summary by the IVR 2024 Organizing Committee
Democracy is in turmoil worldwide, with citizens feeling frustrated by the functionality of democratic institutions and the emptiness of public discourse. This frustration is partly due to increasing income and wealth inequality over the past decades. The belief that one's success is due to personal merit, while those left behind deserve their fate, stems from the principle of meritocracy and market fundamentalism, leading to political anger and polarization.
In democracy's discontent, there are two competing concepts of freedom: liberal and civic republican. The liberal concept of freedom focuses on the ability to choose and pursue goals without obstruction, aligned with liberal neutrality, where the government does not impose any particular virtue. The civic republican concept emphasizes having a meaningful voice in shaping the community's destiny, requiring citizens to discuss and respect common goods and virtues.
The economy should be restructured from the perspective of citizenship, not just maximizing GDP or economic growth. Antitrust laws were initially aimed at preventing economic power from dominating political decisions. And the meritocratic hubris that suggests success is solely due to individual effort further alienates those who feel neglected by elites.
While legal expertise is crucial, it cannot replace democratic deliberation. Important policy and constitutional questions require debating competing conceptions of justice, which should be decided by democratic citizens, not just legal experts.
It is impossible to define fundamental rights without engaging in moral debates about the good life. The exclusion of moral and spiritual convictions from public discourse creates a moral vacuum, potentially filled by fundamentalism or hyper -nationalism.
The self is situated, rather than unencumbered, recognizing the influence of history, tradition, and moral ties. Since freedom involves interpreting and reflecting on these influences, recognizing our interconnectedness and the role of luck in our achievements fosters humility and a sense of civic responsibility.
Humility is essential to addressing today's polarization. The belief in self-made success fosters division, while recognizing our indebtedness to others and the role of luck can help us respect and understand each other better, leading to a more generous public life.
In democracy's discontent, there are two competing concepts of freedom: liberal and civic republican. The liberal concept of freedom focuses on the ability to choose and pursue goals without obstruction, aligned with liberal neutrality, where the government does not impose any particular virtue. The civic republican concept emphasizes having a meaningful voice in shaping the community's destiny, requiring citizens to discuss and respect common goods and virtues.
The economy should be restructured from the perspective of citizenship, not just maximizing GDP or economic growth. Antitrust laws were initially aimed at preventing economic power from dominating political decisions. And the meritocratic hubris that suggests success is solely due to individual effort further alienates those who feel neglected by elites.
While legal expertise is crucial, it cannot replace democratic deliberation. Important policy and constitutional questions require debating competing conceptions of justice, which should be decided by democratic citizens, not just legal experts.
It is impossible to define fundamental rights without engaging in moral debates about the good life. The exclusion of moral and spiritual convictions from public discourse creates a moral vacuum, potentially filled by fundamentalism or hyper -nationalism.
The self is situated, rather than unencumbered, recognizing the influence of history, tradition, and moral ties. Since freedom involves interpreting and reflecting on these influences, recognizing our interconnectedness and the role of luck in our achievements fosters humility and a sense of civic responsibility.
Humility is essential to addressing today's polarization. The belief in self-made success fosters division, while recognizing our indebtedness to others and the role of luck can help us respect and understand each other better, leading to a more generous public life.
Internationale Vereinigung für Rechts- und Wirtschaftsphilosophie /
International Association for Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy
