Justice 12: Debating Samesex Marriage - Michael Sandel
Apr 2, 2021
auto_awesome
Philosopher Michael Sandel debates the recognition of same-sex marriage, exploring religious, moral, and societal arguments. The discussion delves into the complexities of defining marriage, legal neutrality, and the impact of personal beliefs on societal views. The podcast also delves into moral reasoning in a diverse society and the transformative nature of philosophical reflection.
Solidarity and membership obligations are defended as integral to justice and the good.
Balancing encompassing loyalty with universal duties presents a challenge in ethical reasoning.
Engaging with moral and religious disagreements fosters mutual respect and promotes dialogue in democratic societies.
Deep dives
Debating the Narrative Conception of Self and Obligations of Solidarity
The discussion focuses on the narrative conception of the self, debating obligations of solidarity and membership that do not stem from consent. Loyalty, patriotism, and moral force of loyalty and membership are explored, contrasting with a counter-example of southern segregationists in the 1950s.
The Argument for Narrative Conception of Person
The argument defends obligations of solidarity and membership, suggesting that ties to justice cannot be detached from questions of good. The debate between encompassing loyalty and universal duties is presented, highlighting the challenge of overcoming distinctions between friends and strangers.
Justice Tied to the Good: Relativist vs. Non-Relativist Views
The discussion delves into justice tied to the good, contrasting relativist and non-relativist approaches. Relativist views link justice to prevailing community values, while non-relativist principles justify rights based on advancing human goods.
Reflective Equilibrium in Moral Reasoning for Debates on Same-Sex Marriage
The method of reflective equilibrium is proposed for ethical reasoning, applying it to debates on same-sex marriage. Engagement with moral and religious convictions is emphasized, acknowledging the complexity of moral and religious disagreements in discussions on justice.
Respectful Engagement with Moral and Religious Disagreements in Democratic Societies
The importance of engaging with moral and religious disagreements is highlighted for fostering mutual respect in democratic societies. Rather than ignoring differing convictions, the emphasis is on attentive engagement, learning from, challenging, and understanding diverse viewpoints to appreciate human plurality and promote moral and religious dialogue.