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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Well worth reading, but slowly and thoughtfully. For a book on philosophy, it is very accessible and directly relates to everyday issues that we confront or hear about. I wish this was required reading for politicians and citizens alike.
informative
slow-paced
In hindsight it seems obvious, but I did not expect this book to largely have a philosophical focus.
My takeaways on philosophical concepts:
- Utilitarianism - that moral decisions/laws should be in favour of maximising utility? That more people need to gain/be satisfied by choices than those who are disadvantaged/against the decision.
- Libertarian - principle of self ownership, and that we shouldn’t be governed by laws of the majority - that we should be free to do whatever we want
- Kant’s philosophy - humans have capacity got reason and that is intertwined with our capacity for freedom
- Teological reasoning is requires us to ponder the purpose of a good
And it is the last two, which our society largely tries to argue or judge justice - by reasoning the purpose of what it is to be free and what is a good life
But in this way of judging purpose, stepping back from the values that are so ingrained in our society may reveal things we should really value and shape the way we should live, rather than continue the way in which things have been established. e.g valuing growth and capitalistic values at the cost of things like our climate
My takeaways on philosophical concepts:
- Utilitarianism - that moral decisions/laws should be in favour of maximising utility? That more people need to gain/be satisfied by choices than those who are disadvantaged/against the decision.
- Libertarian - principle of self ownership, and that we shouldn’t be governed by laws of the majority - that we should be free to do whatever we want
- Kant’s philosophy - humans have capacity got reason and that is intertwined with our capacity for freedom
- Teological reasoning is requires us to ponder the purpose of a good
And it is the last two, which our society largely tries to argue or judge justice - by reasoning the purpose of what it is to be free and what is a good life
But in this way of judging purpose, stepping back from the values that are so ingrained in our society may reveal things we should really value and shape the way we should live, rather than continue the way in which things have been established. e.g valuing growth and capitalistic values at the cost of things like our climate
Great book to get you thinking about justice/ethics in today's society.
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
informative
medium-paced
really liked this book as an intro to justice and philosophy, with the main message being that morality cannot be severed from a discussion on utilitarianism + libertarianism. appreciated the deep dive into 3 philosophers with real life examples, and a call to action in the end on civic virtue.
I like Michael Sandel’s lecture style, having watched several episodes of his Harvard “Justice” series on YouTube (the basis of this book). This book essentially has three parts focusing on utilitarianism, libertarianism, and an Aristotelian/virtue and value-based system of justice. Sandel explores these three strands of philosophy, then demonstrates what each system of ethics/morality would look like in practice with contemporary anecdotes often drawn from the headlines. He weighs the moral permissibility of assisted suicide and white lies, price gouging and consent, meritocracy and surrogate motherhood, and uses these examples to point out shortcomings of utilitarianism and libertarianism—ultimately preferring the third strand. I enjoyed how each chapter circles back to the central question of what it means to do the right thing, according to your conception of what “right” is.
I listened to the audiobook, which was entertaining and educational and helped me save time (it’s a bit shorter than the Harvard lecture series on YouTube). Sandel narrates, and because his style is so straightforward and clear, I was even able to listen at 1.75 speed. Definitely want to check out more of his work in the future.
I listened to the audiobook, which was entertaining and educational and helped me save time (it’s a bit shorter than the Harvard lecture series on YouTube). Sandel narrates, and because his style is so straightforward and clear, I was even able to listen at 1.75 speed. Definitely want to check out more of his work in the future.
"If we truly own our bodies and lives, it should be up to us to decide whether to sell our body parts, for what purposes, and at what risk to ourselves."
"His point is that only the motive of duty—doing something because it's right, not because it's useful or pleasing or convenient—confers moral worth on an action."
"The compassion of the altruist deserves praise and encouragement...but not esteem."
"...if that was [his] motive for telling the truth, it would seem to undermine the moral worth of his act...If the only reason the boy told the truth was to avoid feeling guilty or to avoid bad publicity should his error be discovered, then his truth-telling would lack moral worth, but if he told the truth because he knew it was the right thing to do, his act has moral worth regardless of the pleasure or satisfaction that might attend it. As long as he did the right thing for the right reason, feeling good about it doesn't undermine its moral worth."
"His point is that only the motive of duty—doing something because it's right, not because it's useful or pleasing or convenient—confers moral worth on an action."
"The compassion of the altruist deserves praise and encouragement...but not esteem."
"...if that was [his] motive for telling the truth, it would seem to undermine the moral worth of his act...If the only reason the boy told the truth was to avoid feeling guilty or to avoid bad publicity should his error be discovered, then his truth-telling would lack moral worth, but if he told the truth because he knew it was the right thing to do, his act has moral worth regardless of the pleasure or satisfaction that might attend it. As long as he did the right thing for the right reason, feeling good about it doesn't undermine its moral worth."