Justice: What's The Right Thing To Do? Episode 11: "THE CLAIMS OF COMMUNITY"

PART ONE: THE CLAIMS OF COMMUNITY
Professor Sandel presents Kants objections to Aristotles theory. Kant believes politics must respect individual freedom. People must always respect other peoples freedom to make their own choices—a universal duty to humanity—but for Kant, there is no other source of moral obligation. The discussion of Kants view leads to an introduction to the communitarian philosophy. Communitarians argue that, in addition to voluntary and universal duties, we also have obligations of membership, solidarity, and loyalty. These obligations are not necessarily based on consent. We inherit our past, and our identities, from our family, city, or country. But what happens if our obligations to our family or community come into conflict with our universal obligations to humanity?

PART TWO: WHERE OUR LOYALTY LIES

Professor Sandel leads a discussion about the arguments for and against obligations of solidarity and membership. Do we owe more to our fellow citizens that to citizens of other countries? Is patriotism a virtue, or a prejudice for ones own kind? If our identities are defined by the particular communities we inhabit, what becomes of universal human rights? Using various scenarios, students debate whether or not obligations of loyalty can ever outweigh universal duties of justice.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Harvard Univerisity
• Harvard Alumni
• Michael Sandel
• WGBH
• Justice

[thisisgrey]

nicola always talks like she's about to cry and that's cute

[Melki]

in this forum nicola is my hero. You need the whole humanity to support particular communities. If some communities won't support the whole existence of us, then they were not participating in the sustainability of not only us but also themselves.

[MrHoodedCrow]

O... He forgot Patrick's name... :(

[crollmarketing]

That guy' a Kant

[socksnundies]

I always pause at the half time breaks and go get a cup of coffee cos I have to be fully awake to understand this stuff. One day I will be clever like these dudes. Woo hoo!

[Sonicthehedgehog73]

Anyone else notice the guy at 22:04 who is falling asleep? haha.

[johniswetodddid]

look at friedmans video "Freedom not to Act"

[johniswetodddid]

friedman, who is not an austrain also said "we need freedom in my opinion first becuase we can never know we are right, and there for we have no right to force our views on others." he is clearly hinting at the fact, that their is a limitation on our knowledge. & we need humility. how would a communitarian respond? I think it's a fools arrend to try and plan a good life, esp when it has been tried again and again w/ failure. If anyone can give a counter arguement i would appreciate it.

[johniswetodddid]

I have a question for the communitarians. If you look at the insight of F.A. Hayek for example, and in large the austrian school, they emphisize the importance of the knowledge probelm. The reason they say socialism fails, is b/c it is impossible to obtain all the knowledge to plan millions of interactions. Thus, that is why we need a pricing system under private property. Look at milton friedmans example of the pencial. Thus, if we can't plan an economy, how could be possibly plan a good life?