Michael Sandel, a Harvard political philosophy professor renowned for his work on ethics and democracy, shares his insights on the role of education in promoting civil discourse. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing diverse community values and navigating moral disagreements in politics. Sandel also discusses the challenges of maintaining respectful public conversations, particularly in light of social media's influence. He highlights the significance of individual voices in democracy and reflects on the need for inclusive discussions about contentious moral issues.
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insights INSIGHT
Disempowerment and Discontent
Many people feel unheard and lack a meaningful voice in current politics.
This disenfranchisement fuels grievances and breeds discontent.
insights INSIGHT
The Arc of History
Assuming an inevitable "right side of history" is hubristic.
History is contingent, not predetermined.
insights INSIGHT
The Importance of Moral Discourse
Open moral discussions are crucial for a healthy democracy.
Avoiding these conversations leads to outsourcing moral judgments to markets, creating a moral vacuum.
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In 'Democracy's Discontent,' Michael Sandel examines the American political tradition and identifies a defect in the public philosophy that underlies contemporary American politics. He argues that the shift from a 'political economy of citizenship' to a 'political economy of growth' has eroded civic responsibilities and community, leading to widespread discontent. Sandel traces historical debates from the founding of the United States to contemporary issues, highlighting the tension between liberal and republican strands of American political thought. He advocates for a return to civic republicanism to address the sense of powerlessness and lack of social cohesion in modern America[2][4][5].
The Tyranny of Merit
What's Become of the Common Good?
Michael Sandel
In 'The Tyranny of Merit', Michael J. Sandel argues that the current system of meritocracy has led to significant social and political issues. He contends that meritocracy stratifies society into winners and losers, based largely on economic status and educational credentials, resulting in hubris among the successful and resentment and humiliation among those who are not. Sandel suggests that this system ignores the role of luck and external factors in success and instead attributes success solely to individual talent and hard work. He advocates for a new way of thinking about success, one that is more attentive to the role of luck, more conducive to an ethic of humility and solidarity, and more affirming of the dignity of all work. The book also explores the impact of credentialism and the need to restore dignity to work that does not require a college degree, promoting a politics of the common good[1][3][5].
Michael Sandel is a professor of political philosophy at Harvard University. He’s also the author of several publications, including his latest, Equality: What It Means and Why It Matters. Sandel joins Preet to discuss what human nature can tell us about our government, how higher education can foster free expression, and dealing with moral disagreements in our politics.
Show notes and a transcript of the episode are available on our website.
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