
We spend an hour with Harvard professor Michael Sandel who teaches one of the most popular courses for undergraduates. He also has a new book called “Justice: Whats the Right Thing to Do”
Welcome to Justice!
Justice is one of the most popular courses in Harvard's history, and has captivated more than 14,000 students.
Now it's your turn to hone your critical-thinking skills and explore the moral decisions we all face in our lives. Check out this short introduction video and begin your journey.
Play the Intro Video No thanks, let's proceed to the site.Online Harvard Course Exploring Justice, Equality, Democracy, and Citizenship

We spend an hour with Harvard professor Michael Sandel who teaches one of the most popular courses for undergraduates. He also has a new book called “Justice: Whats the Right Thing to Do”

Michael Sandel, Harvard Professor of Government, delivers four lectures about the prospects of a new politics of the common good. The series is presented and chaired by Sue Lawley. Sandel considers the expansion of markets and how we determine their moral limits. Should immigrants, for example, pay for citizenship? Should we pay schoolchildren for good [...]
How do you answer the objection that society has an interest in encouraging and promoting stable family structures?
How do you answer the objection that prohibiting same-sex marriage unfairly discriminates against gay men and lesbians?
Does this mean that we owe more to our fellow citizens than to other human beings? On what grounds? Why do we owe more to a stranger born in our country than we do a stranger who happened to be born somewhere else?
How do you answer Aristotle’s claim that the point of politics is more than just mutual security and economic exchange? Isn’t the purpose of politics to encourage civic virtue and promote the common good?
But if universities use race as a factor, then some people will be admitted or rejected based on considerations over which they have no control. Isn’t it unjust to admit or reject a candidate on any basis other than personal and academic merit?
But David Letterman is unusually talented at making people laugh. Doesn’t he deserve to make more money? Shouldn’t compensation track talent and effort? Otherwise, what would be the use of developing one’s talents and making an effort?
But isn’t it unfair for a police officer or a government official to treat someone differently merely because of the color of their skin? How do you answer the objection that racial profiling is an example of unjust discrimination?
But how can the shopkeeper’s action lack moral worth if, in the end, he does the right thing by not cheating his customer?
A Co-Production of WGBH Boston and Harvard University
© 2011 The President and Fellows of Harvard College