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Michael Sandel

86quotes

Michael Sandel


#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Michael J. Sandel is a renowned American philosopher, political theorist, and public intellectual.

Birth and Death Dates


Born on April 5, 1953, in Dayton, Ohio, USA. Still active as of this writing.

Nationality and Profession(s)


American; Professor of Government at Harvard University

Early Life and Background


Michael Sandel was born to a Jewish family in Dayton, Ohio. His father was an accountant, and his mother was a homemaker. Sandel's early life was shaped by the social and cultural changes of 1960s America. He developed an interest in philosophy and politics while attending Harvard University, where he earned his undergraduate degree.

Major Accomplishments


Sandel has made significant contributions to the fields of political philosophy, ethics, and public policy. His work focuses on issues such as justice, equality, and democracy. Some of his notable achievements include:

Developing and teaching a popular course at Harvard University called "Justice," which explores various theories of justice and their implications for contemporary society.
 Authoring influential books like "Liberalism and the Limits of Justice" (1982), "Democracy's Discontent" (1996), and "What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets" (2012).
* Serving as a consultant to governments, non-profit organizations, and private companies on issues related to justice, ethics, and public policy.

Notable Works or Actions


Sandel's work has been widely praised for its ability to make complex philosophical concepts accessible to a broad audience. His book "Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" (2009) was adapted into a popular PBS television series. This book explores various theories of justice, including distributive justice, retributive justice, and procedural justice.

Impact and Legacy


Michael Sandel has had a profound impact on contemporary debates about justice, equality, and democracy. His work has influenced policymakers, business leaders, and scholars worldwide. He is widely regarded as one of the most important public intellectuals of our time.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Sandel's influence can be attributed to his unique ability to bridge the gap between academic philosophy and public discourse. His commitment to making complex ideas accessible and engaging has made him a sought-after commentator on issues related to justice, ethics, and politics. As a professor, author, and public intellectual, Michael Sandel continues to inspire new generations of thinkers, policymakers, and citizens to rethink their assumptions about what constitutes justice and fairness in society.

Quotes by Michael Sandel

Michael Sandel's insights on:

When I arrived at Harvard, I wanted to design a course in political theory that would have interested me, back when I was started out, in a way that the standard things didn’t.
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When I arrived at Harvard, I wanted to design a course in political theory that would have interested me, back when I was started out, in a way that the standard things didn’t.
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There are really exercises in a kind of consumerist ethic that I think don’t have the same moral weight as medicine or health.
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There are really exercises in a kind of consumerist ethic that I think don’t have the same moral weight as medicine or health.
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I have a broad but not an expert or scholarly background in the Jewish tradition. I’ve tried to learn what I can from childhood, but I am not an expert on Jewish teachings.
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I have a broad but not an expert or scholarly background in the Jewish tradition. I’ve tried to learn what I can from childhood, but I am not an expert on Jewish teachings.
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There is a tendency to think that if we engage too directly with moral questions in politics, that’s a recipe for disagreement, and for that matter, a recipe for intolerance and coercion.
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There is a tendency to think that if we engage too directly with moral questions in politics, that’s a recipe for disagreement, and for that matter, a recipe for intolerance and coercion.
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One of the ways in which parenting is a learning experience and an opportunity for moral growth is that we learn as parents that we don’t choose the kind of child that we have.
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One of the ways in which parenting is a learning experience and an opportunity for moral growth is that we learn as parents that we don’t choose the kind of child that we have.
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I think very often when we think we are aiming at the best for our children, what we are really doing is trying to position them for competitive success in an intensely driven kind of society. I’m not sure that always leads to the good life or to happiness.
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I think very often when we think we are aiming at the best for our children, what we are really doing is trying to position them for competitive success in an intensely driven kind of society. I’m not sure that always leads to the good life or to happiness.
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Aiming at giving our kids a competitive edge in a consumer society – that, in principle, is a goal that is limitless.
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Aiming at giving our kids a competitive edge in a consumer society – that, in principle, is a goal that is limitless.
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In most of our lives, we are accustomed to aiming at mastery and control and dominion- – over nature, over our lives, over our jobs, over our careers, over the goods that we buy.
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In most of our lives, we are accustomed to aiming at mastery and control and dominion- – over nature, over our lives, over our jobs, over our careers, over the goods that we buy.
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The norm of unconditional parental love, I think, depends on the fact that we don’t pick and choose the traits of our children in the way that we pick and choose the features of a car we might order, or a consumer good.
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The norm of unconditional parental love, I think, depends on the fact that we don’t pick and choose the traits of our children in the way that we pick and choose the features of a car we might order, or a consumer good.
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I do not argue that nature is sacrosanct in the sense that we must never tamper with nature. That would disempower, really, all of medicine. That would mean that we can’t combat dread diseases – malaria, polio, all of which are given by nature, if one thinks about it.
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I do not argue that nature is sacrosanct in the sense that we must never tamper with nature. That would disempower, really, all of medicine. That would mean that we can’t combat dread diseases – malaria, polio, all of which are given by nature, if one thinks about it.
MS
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