Justice: What's The Right Thing To Do? Episode 12: "DEBATING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE"

PART ONE: DEBATING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
If principles of justice depend on the moral or intrinsic worth of the ends that rights serve, how should we deal with the fact that people hold different ideas and conceptions of what is good? Students address this question in a heated debate about same-sex marriage. Should same-sex marriage be legal? Can we settle the matter without discussing the moral permissibility of homosexuality or the purpose of marriage?

PART TWO: THE GOOD LIFE

Professor Sandel raises two questions. Is it necessary to reason about the good life in order to decide what rights people have and what is just? If so, how is it possible to argue about the nature of the good life? Students explore these questions with a discussion about the relation of law and morality, as played out in public controversies over same-sex marriage and abortion. Michael Sandel concludes his lecture series by making the point that, in many cases, the law cant be neutral on hard moral questions. Engaging rather than avoiding the moral convictions of our fellow citizens may be the best way of seeking a just society.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Harvard University
• Michael Sandel
• WGBH
• Justice

[MrNoepoe]

@46plato While love is (often) a factor in marriage, I'd say the most important criteria for marriage is that all parties understand what they're doing and have a mutual consent about it. Children and animals don't understand how marriage bonds individuals. Inanimate objects like chairs lack any capability of thought to begin with.

Sure, there should be discussion about what marriage is meant for. But one thing we know is that marriage isn't just a mere license to set up a baby making factory.

[drunkrtard]

I think most of this discussion is pointless. When these students use religion as a starting position in their argument they are starting from a point that relies on faith. That is to say they start from an unevidenced premise which has no basis in reality. We cannot have a rational discussion about what is right built on false premises. I think their religion must disqualify them from any discussion about what is right and wrong on any subject that their religion informs them on.

[pleuriskip]

fucking religious people. They shouldn't base ANY argument on this subject just based on religion

[ahorrell]

I cant believe the top comment is not about that girl's masturbation question.

.

[jimmypagepkr]

Excellent. Sandel is genius.

[krisptreats]

a marriage is between a man and a woman... if they share a bond of like marriage isn't that enough? we must ask why we want recognition of marriage from others... whether it be by family friends state or religious institute... god said be fruitful and multiply, then one would like to show off that they are doing what was commanded. one might want recognition from the state to get in on tax cuts while to the state we are like assets of labor force along with the possible next generation...

[salles105]

Man should base its ideas in absolute principles, because when judgment becomes subjective, then it becomes too broad making itself relativistic, and if you fight for equality, then you should support this point, now the question is where does this absolute principles come from for each person? despite it is so criticized I still believe that it comes from spirituality(not religion), otherwise how can a man discern what is right and what is wrong?

[nadirairdiana]

"Our further appeal is its universal aspiration: the idea of treating persons as persons, without prejudice, without discrimination" -- Michael Sandel

[stratomaster136]

45:11 - Adam Sandler

[stratomaster136]

Victoria is so hot, 22:00