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Running Head: MICHAEL SANDEL’S BOOK REVIEW JUSTICE 1
Michael Sandel’s Book Review - Justice
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MICHAEL SANDEL’S BOOK REVIEW JUSTICE 2
Michael Sandel’s Book Review - Justice
Introduction
"Justice What's the Right Thing to Do?" is a discourse by Michael Sandel, a master in philosophical pedagogy
at Harvard University, teaching courses related to justice and ethics. In his book, Sandel covers different moral
theories that related to western civilization. Some of these include Kant's categorical imperative, Aristotle's virtue
theory, Bentham's utilitarianism, and Robert Nozick's libertarianism. In this, he presents various case studies on
affirmative action and patriotism, giving real-life modern examples of how the theories present themselves in
different life situations today. Necessarily, the discourse recapitulates some of the motifs and themes present in
the contemporary world, using examples that current moral dilemmas related to most contested questions on
public policies. Mostly, individuals often use philosophical ideas to justify their actions and enrich their
knowledge regarding what they should do in different life situations. Based on the author's professional
background, his views in the book are credible and warrant his audience's look into justice using political and
moral reflection. The author, in his overall argument, advocates for individuals to gain understanding into the
"true" nature of an action or situation before determining the supposed correct way of handling it or making a
response.
The book intends to inspire the public to take an aspect of moral and political reflection when dealing with ethical
dilemmas that warrant some form of justice. In this, Sandel endeavors to spark his audience to subject their
personal views on matters related to justice and how people should act, to a critical examination. My reaction to
the discourse is that the author aptly uses a variety of approaches to bring forth his argument. Using historical
episodes, hypotheticals, news stories, philosophies, and legal cases, among others, he tackles controversial topics
in the modern world such as affirmative action, abortions a question which has become prevalent in recent years,
and same-sex marriages, among others. In this, my evaluation is that he compels his readers to confront their
biases and assumptions of other people and different situations. This book review, therefore, seeks to evaluate
what the book entails and the author's main arguments.
Further, the review also seeks to establish the author's credibility and expertise in his discipline and how this
influences his worldviews presented in the text. The intended audience, flow of the book, and the appropriateness
of Sandel's arguments and evidence presented in different examples and cases. These findings will help validate
and contextualize the author's argument.
Background Information
The text by Sandel is work that was written to supplement the teaching of justice courses at Harvard University,
and lectures on his class are offered free online. The societal dilemmas faced by different individuals in the
contemporary world serve as the author's context, promoting insight into his main arguments. Sandel explores
numerous moral and ethical dilemmas that the society faces and implores his audience to reflect on how justice is
exercised within different contexts. In a community with multiple controversies and judgments, Sandel brings
forward an argument that may foster compassion and reflection in how we judge specific societal dilemmas.
The criteria for judging this book is based on whether it meets its objective, defines the existing problems,
identifies causal factors, and offers solutions based on different philosophies. Such judgment will also be found
on the assessment of how well the author presents the background information, the language, originality, and
social relevance since it relates to various issues experienced today. Necessarily, the first impression of the book
also matters, whether or not it inspires an individual to read its contents. The design and originality depend on
whether Sandel uses a fresh approach to give his arguments. The style, voice, and grammar also matter in this
context and contribute to message delivery. The criteria are also linked to relevance if the message is vital and
pertinent to the current era. Considering all these factors, it suffices to infer that the criteria will enable the
assessment of whether or not Sandel's discourse is fruitful in its delivery.
Summary
"Justice What's the Right Thing to Do?" begins with various chapter examples that prompt his audience to reflect
on whether justice occurred or not. From the first chapter, these examples include price gouging during Hurricane
Charley in 2004, awarding the Purple Heart to U.S. soldiers with physical injuries and not mental ones, and bank
bailouts. These cases, used by Michael Sandel, all have a moral implication on whether the stances taken by
concerned authorities were just or the right option to consider. According to the author, such cases should always
be presented using three different approaches, such as welfare, freedom, and virtue. Principally, Sandel, in his
book, argues that most of the dilemmas in society today revolve around these approaches. In this, he provides that
justice requires maximization of welfare for those involved, respecting other people's well-being and that justice
should promote a "good life." As such, the author tries to address how individuals should cultivate their virtues

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Running Head: MICHAEL SANDEL’S BOOK REVIEW – JUSTICE Michael Sandel’s Book Review - Justice Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation 1 MICHAEL SANDEL’S BOOK REVIEW – JUSTICE 2 Michael Sandel’s Book Review - Justice Introduction "Justice – What's the Right Thing to Do?" is a discourse by Michael Sandel, a master in philosophical pedagogy at Harvard University, teaching courses related to justice and ethics. In his book, Sandel covers different moral theories that related to western civilization. Some of these include Kant's categorical imperative, Aristotle's virtue theory, Bentham's utilitarianism, and Robert Nozick's libertarianism. In this, he presents various case studies on affirmative action and patriotism, giving real-life modern examples of how the theories present themselves in different life situations today. Necessarily, the discourse recapitulates some of the motifs and themes present in the contemporary world, using examples that current moral dilemmas related to most contested questions on public policies. Mostly, individuals often use philosophical ideas to justify their actions and enrich their knowledge regarding what they should do in different life situations. Based on the author's professional background, his views in the book are credible and warrant his audience's look into justice using political and moral reflection. The author, in his overall argument, advocates for individuals to gain understanding into the "true" nature of an ac ...
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