Episode #204 ... The importance of philosophy, justice and the common good. (Michael Sandel)

Today we talk about some of the benefits of being a practitioner of philosophy. Michael Sandel's view of the three main approaches to justice throughout the history of philosophy. The strengths and weaknesses of all three. The consequences of replacing social norms with market norms. And the importance of the common good as a piece of a just society that is able to endure. Hope you enjoy it! :)

Thank you so much for listening! Could never do this without your help.

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[TennesseeJed]

Steve, you are an incredibly good teacher! Whatever our society is paying you I believe you are worth more!

[nightoftheworld]

8:04 *Harvard Justice series*
Michael Sandel’s Justice series is here on YouTube. One of the first free lecture courses posted on the platform I believe..

[uchicha]

Excellent material, feels like every single adult/young adult should listen to this.

[farberam]

Early :) I live in Austria. Just went to the gym, got back for breakfast and this was in my feed. Love the time difference.

[djetinjstvo_u_boji]

Great episode, Steve! I'd love to hear more about communitarianism in future discussions.

This episode reminded me of something I'd like to share. Back in 2017, I started working for a company that valued philosophy so highly that every employee underwent a two-week crash course on utilitarianism, Kant, Rawls, Sandel, and other philosophers and ideas.

Thanks to your podcast, I excelled during those two weeks. So, I guess this is my way of saying thank you for everything!

[brlopwn]

This is a good episode to share. Great stuff.

[AbAb-thqe]

If someone doesn't like philosophy, that's up to them. They aren't being forced into it themselves. But they shouldn't be trying to dissuade those who do, regardless of its utility. Philosophical discourse is ultimately what defines society. If someone only focuses on the present moment they make bad (undesirable in hindsight) decisions and won't even know why they make the ones they do. Philosophy helps us to make better decisions and better understand our motivations behind them and the alternatives. I can't believe anyone would be dim enough to dispute this.

[lonelycubicle]

Really liked this episode and vote for more. Do you have a link to his book on Amazon where you get a percentage of the sale? Also, do you have a recommendation of an engineer who writes the best solution for what Sandel points out?

[ANUPAM]

I might have overheard in one of the episodes that you are putting together a book, is it out yet? I would love to read a book by you man!

[nightoftheworld]

17:41 *civics and the common good* “For somebody like Aristotle a just society is not going to have justice for very long if it doesn’t have citizens that are capable of civic involvement.”

[jeremyn]

I know people who intensly dislike philosophy. They think its pointless and is just a tool to confuse people. One of these persons is my father; but I love philosophy and even studied it in college (primarily ethics and epistemology). I think the reflexive opposition to this study is a natural response to defend ones worldview. It can be quite painful and difficult to have your views changed, especially if this includes accepting some level of shame in a previous view.

[nilofar]

Great episode! I’d love to hear more about Mark Fisher

[nightoftheworld]

26:43 *Sandel + Hickel / degrowth*
Sandel’s concept of how “market norms have hijacked social norms” sounds in-line with Jason Hickel’s degrowth logic of “decoupling social services sector (modern human need) from market speculation”.

[klosnj]

20:44 the bailouts were unjust because it flies in the face of the promise of markets; that if you make good decisions, you will do well, and if you make bad decisions you will fail. By subverting that meritocratic paradigm, not only did they set up implied incentives for risky behavior to rush to the top, but they also didn't fix the problem. It was a centralized decision, made by people with only the interest of winning a later election, that both delayed he inevitable and set up a situation that we will be worse off when it comes back around.

Trading away present pain for future greater pain is unjust, especially when that future pain isnt going to be yours.

[Derek_H_]

great episode. i heard his lecture at harvard on youtube years ago, changed my perspectives and helped ne realize i was nostly libertarian. an on that note, few people consider that the reason the markets no longer represent real supply and demand is becouse of all the goverment intervention via subsidies tax breaks and crony capitalism that ecery senator and polotitian are desperate to be a part of. they the solution is more intervention and do not consider the root cause wich is goverment and the central bank

[lynnj]

Would it be possible for you to add subtitles? It would be really helpful for English learners and fans of philosophy. Thanks!

[melissasmind]

It reminds me of when I studied to become a social worker and practicing social work.

[melissasmind]

Or motivated. From my understanding, they must feel it personally.

[I-am-bruno]

"Does the country you live in look a country being run by citizens that are educated and engaged with the problems facing the country?" No!

[melissasmind]

Im a Libra Rising Pluto in my first house. I always think or obsess over justice.