Michael Sandel Reflection

Reflection: A Fair, Respectable, and Widely Accepted Justice Justice plays a valuable part in the public’s life; no matter who you are or where you are from. In Michael Sandel’s Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? the reader encounters six specific approaches to lawfulness and ethical morality, which constitute of utilitarianism, libertarianism, Locke, Kant, Rawls, and Aristotle. Each of these definitive philosophies falls under one of three general concepts and categories. These consist of freedom, virtue, and welfare. Exclusively judging the title of the book, one may think that it attempts to solve or bring forth ethical and moral issues of our time. After reading the book however, the reader becomes aware that Sandel’s work is much

When analyzing the approach or intentions of the theorists, big dilemmas and questions arise. Such is the case with John Locke and Immanuel Kant, both falling under the concepts of freedom. Locke, having a perspective similar to that of a libertarian’s, argues for rights of possession and limited government intervention, but the difference to his philosophy is that he “does not assert an unlimited right of self-possession” (Sandel 104). In other words, we may not do with our bodies as we please. Locke also argues that an unowned thing becomes your property through the fruit of your labor. In a literal sense, Locke’s theory calls for respect for humanity, but perhaps his biggest problem is the way he proposes his philosophy. Locke believes in the sacredness of human life, and with his ideas he invokes God (Sandel 104). This is where the biggest question arises when reflecting on his theory. Many people are nonbelievers and others have variant beliefs. Suggesting a theory with religious background may not necessarily appeal to the public, especially in a pluralistic society. In addition, Locke’s claim of ownership following labor is not necessarily correct. Consider picking up flowers in an open field. The flowers, or what you claim ownership of, were the fruit of your labor (harvesting), but that does not necessarily mean that they are yours. The very vast and flexible definition of justice and ethics described by Locke leaves open many loop holes. Kant disagrees with Locke, utilitarians, and libertarians. He argues for a philosophy founded on humans being “rational beings worthy of dignity and respect” (Sandel 104). Kant disagrees with ideas of the good-life as well, and his philosophy is founded on three principal contrasts: morality, freedom, and reason. In terms of freedom, one is only free when