Michael Sandel Quotes
Michael Sandel is an American political philosopher, professor at Harvard University, and one of the most widely read public philosophers of our time. Liberalism and the Limits of Justice mounted a celebrated communitarian critique of John Rawls's theory of the unencumbered self, arguing that we are constitutively shaped by attachments and ends that we do not choose. The quotes below are attributed to Michael Sandel, organized by topic.
Michael Sandel on Freedom
-
“This liberalism says, in other words, that what makes the just society just is not the telos or purpose or end at which it aims, but precisely its refusal to choose in advance among competing purposes and ends. In its constitution and its laws, the just society seeks to provide a framework within which its citizens can pursue their own values and ends, consistent with a similar liberty for others”
Michael J. Sandel, "The Procedural Republic and the Unencumbered Self" (1984) -
“Unlike the liberty of the early republic, the modern version permits — in fact even requires — concentrated power.”
Michael J. Sandel, "The Procedural Republic and the Unencumbered Self" (1984)
Michael Sandel on Justice
-
Attributed to Michael Sandel:
“We cannot reason our way to justice without reasoning together about the good.”
-
Attributed to Michael Sandel:
“Some things money should not buy.”
-
Attributed to Michael Sandel:
“A meritocracy that is not also humble is a tyranny.”
-
Attributed to Michael Sandel:
“Justice is not just about the right way to distribute things; it is about the right way to value them.”
Michael Sandel on Knowledge
-
“Michael J. Sandel, "The Procedural Republic and the Unencumbered Self" (1984)”
Political philosophy seems often to reside at a distance from the world. Principles are one thing, politics another, and even our best efforts to ‘live up’ to our ideals typically founder on the gap between theory and practice. But if political philosophy is unrealizable in one sense, it is unavoidable in another. This is the sense in which philosophy inhabits the world from the start; our practic -
“Michael J. Sandel, "The Procedural Republic and the Unencumbered Self" (1984)”
This liberalism says, in other words, that what makes the just society just is not the telos or purpose or end at which it aims, but precisely its refusal to choose in advance among competing purposes and ends. In its constitution and its laws, the just society seeks to provide a framework within which its citizens can pursue their own values and ends, consistent with a similar liberty for others -
“Michael J. Sandel, "The Procedural Republic and the Unencumbered Self" (1984)”
Unlike the liberty of the early republic, the modern version permits — in fact even requires — concentrated power. -
“Chap. 1. The Public Philosophy of Contemporary Liberalism”
A public philosophy is an elusive thing, for it is constantly before our eyes. It forms the often unreflective background to our political discourse and pursuits. In ordinary times, the public philosophy can easily escape the notice of those who live by it. But anxious times compel a certain clarity. They force first principles to the surface and offer an occasion for critical reflection.
Michael Sandel on Life
-
“A public philosophy is an elusive thing, for it is constantly before our eyes. It forms the often unreflective background to our political discourse and pursuits. In ordinary times, the public philosophy can easily escape the notice of those who live by it. But anxious times compel a certain clarity. They force first principles to the surface and offer an occasion for critical reflection.”
Chap. 1. The Public Philosophy of Contemporary Liberalism
Michael Sandel on Mind
-
Attributed to Michael Sandel:
“We are constituted in part by ends we have not chosen.”
Michael Sandel on Politics
-
“Political philosophy seems often to reside at a distance from the world. Principles are one thing, politics another, and even our best efforts to live up to our ideals seldom fully succeed.”
Preface -
“But if political philosophy is unrealizable in one sense, it is unavoidable in another.”
Preface
Michael Sandel on Virtue
-
“Michael J. Sandel, "Moral Argument and Liberal Toleration: Abortion and Homosexuality" (1989)”
Admittedly, the tendency to bracket substantive moral questions makes it difficult to argue for toleration in the language of the good. Defining privacy rights by defending the practices privacy protects seems either reckless or quaint; reckless because it rests so much on moral argument, quaint because it recalls the traditional view that ties the case for privacy to the merits of the conduct pri