Lecture Description

Part 1 - The Moral Side of Murder: If you had to choose between (1) killing one person to save the lives of five others and (2) doing nothing, even though you knew that five people would die right before your eyes if you did nothing—what would you do? What would be the right thing to do? That’s the hypothetical scenario Professor Michael Sandel uses to launch his course on moral reasoning.

Part 2 - The Case for Cannibalism: Sandel introduces the principles of utilitarian philosopher, Jeremy Bentham, with a famous nineteenth century law case involving a shipwrecked crew of four. After nineteen days lost at sea, the captain decides to kill the cabin boy, the weakest amongst them, so they can feed on his blood and body to survive.

Course Description

Justice is one of the most popular courses in Harvard’s history, having taught more than 14,000 students over the course of two decades.

In this course, Sandel challenges us with difficult moral dilemmas and asks our opinion about the right thing to do. He then asks us to examine our answers in the light of new scenarios. The results are often surprising, revealing that important moral questions are never black and white.

This course also addresses the hot topics of our day—affirmative action, same-sex marriage, patriotism and rights—and Sandel shows us that we can revisit familiar controversies with a fresh perspective.

Each lecture in this course has two parts as well as related readings and discussion guides.

Related Resources

Discussion Guide, Advanced   |  Discussion Guide, Beginner   |  Reading - Jeremy Bentham, Principles of Morals and Legislation (1780)   |  Reading - The Queen v. Dudley and Stephens (1884) (The lifeboat case)

Course Index

1. The Morality of Murder
2. How Much is a Life Worth?
3. Redistributive Taxation and Progressive Taxation - Freedom to Choose
4. Natural Rights and Giving Them Up
5. Avoiding the Draft and Avoiding Parenthood
6. Motives and Morality
7. Lying and Principles
8. What's Fair and Deserved?
9. Affirmative Action and Purpose
10. The Good Citizen and the Freedom to Choose
11. Obligations and Loyalties
12. Same Sex Marriage