# Background knowledge to deeply understand ‘Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?’ by Michael Sandel
Moral and Political Philosophy
Michael Sandel’s “Justice” delves deep into the field of moral and political philosophy. To truly grasp the nuances of his arguments, it’s essential to have a basic understanding of key concepts and historical perspectives within this discipline. This includes familiarity with different ethical frameworks, such as utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics.
Utilitarianism, championed by thinkers like John Stuart Mill, emphasizes maximizing overall happiness and well-being as the primary moral goal. Deontology, associated with Immanuel Kant, stresses the importance of moral duties and principles, regardless of their consequences. Virtue ethics, rooted in the philosophies of Aristotle and others, focuses on cultivating virtuous character traits as the foundation for ethical action.
Understanding these different ethical frameworks provides a lens through which to analyze and evaluate the various approaches to justice presented in Sandel’s book. Additionally, familiarity with the historical development of these philosophical traditions, including their strengths and weaknesses, can enrich the reader’s understanding of the ongoing debates surrounding justice.
Theories of Justice
“Justice” explores several prominent theories of justice, including libertarianism, liberalism, and communitarianism. Libertarianism, often associated with thinkers like Robert Nozick, emphasizes individual liberty and limited government intervention. This perspective prioritizes individual rights, free markets, and minimal state interference in personal and economic affairs.
Liberalism, represented by figures such as John Rawls, focuses on ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all citizens. Rawls’s theory of justice as fairness advocates for a society structured by principles that would be chosen by rational individuals in a hypothetical “original position” of ignorance about their own social status and advantages.
Communitarianism, championed by thinkers like Michael Sandel himself, emphasizes the importance of shared values, traditions, and a sense of community in shaping conceptions of justice. This perspective challenges the individualistic focus of libertarianism and liberalism, arguing that a just society requires a shared understanding of the common good and a commitment to the collective well-being.
Familiarizing oneself with the core tenets of these different theories of justice is crucial for understanding the debates and arguments presented in Sandel’s book. It allows readers to critically engage with the strengths and weaknesses of each perspective and to develop their own informed opinions about the nature of a just society.
Contemporary Political and Social Issues
“Justice” engages with a range of contemporary political and social issues, using them as case studies to illustrate and explore different philosophical perspectives on justice. These issues include affirmative action, same-sex marriage, income inequality, and the role of markets in society.
To fully appreciate the relevance of Sandel’s arguments, it’s helpful to have some background knowledge of the specific issues he discusses. This includes understanding the historical context, the key arguments on different sides of the debate, and the potential implications of various policy choices.
For example, when discussing affirmative action, it’s beneficial to understand the history of racial discrimination in the United States, the different forms that affirmative action programs can take, and the arguments for and against such policies in terms of fairness, equality of opportunity, and diversity.
Similarly, when exploring the debate surrounding same-sex marriage, it’s helpful to be aware of the evolving legal and social landscape, the arguments based on religious freedom and traditional definitions of marriage, and the counterarguments emphasizing equality, individual rights, and the recognition of diverse family structures.
By grounding the philosophical discussions in concrete examples and contemporary issues, Sandel makes the abstract principles of justice more accessible and relevant to readers’ lives. Understanding the context of these issues enhances the reader’s ability to engage with the ethical dilemmas presented and to form their own informed opinions.
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