Society Archives

Applying Michael Sandel’s Philosophy of Justice

What is Michael Sandel’s philosophy of justice? What are the key tenets of Sandel’s communitarianism? In Justice, Michael Sandel advocates his philosophy of justice and how he thinks it can create a more moral world—”communitarianism.” Communitarianism argues that the goal of the state is to create and preserve a community of citizens by promoting public engagement, kinship, and a sense of belonging. To show how communitarianism works in practice, Sandel offers the following examples of how governments can create and preserve a community of citizens.

The Top Problem in U.S. Public Health? Underfunding

What’s one of the top problems in public health in the United States? Why is public health spending so underfunded? Public health spending in the U.S. is extremely low compared to other developed countries, and it has been for decades. Primary areas of concern are data infrastructure and preventive measures, such as public education and health screenings. Keep reading to learn more about the underfunding problem in the U.S. public health system.

Indigenous Stereotypes: Debunking the Notion of “Primitives”

Are indigenous peoples just societies that haven’t evolved yet? Is it accurate to think of them as savage or primitive? In The Dawn of Everything, anthropologist David Graeber and archaeologist David Wengrow assert that our beliefs about the evolution of human societies have been wrong all along. They challenge the conventional anthropological narrative and attempt to set the record straight on indigenous societies. Keep reading for an enlightening discussion about where indigenous stereotypes come from and how they miss the mark.

Understanding Democracy: 3 Takeaways From Francis Fukuyama

Is there a “recipe” for democratic government? Is democracy contingent? Can political decay be reversed? To understand the pressures on democracy in the 21st century, it’s important to understand what modern democracy is and where it came from. Francis Fukuyama aims to build that foundation in his book The Origins of Political Order. Continue reading for the book’s takeaways on understanding democracy in the world today.

Michael Sandel: What Is Communitarianism?

What is communitarianism? How does communitarianism differ from liberalism and utilitarianism? Communitarianism is a political ideology that prioritizes the connection between the individual and the community. According to political philosopher Michael Sandel, communitarianism is the best principle for organizing human societies. Keep reading to learn about communitarianism, according to Michael Sandel.

Is Inequality Inevitable? Imagining an Alternate World

Is inequality inevitable? How did we come to view inequality this way and get stuck in unequal state-level societies? David Graeber and David Wengrow raise these questions in The Dawn of Everything. They suggest that understanding the complexity and diversity of different kinds of societies throughout history might prompt us to broaden our ideas about the possibilities for our contemporary societies. Keep reading for an invitation to consider these important questions, including an exercise to help you think through alternatives.

Maximizing Freedom: Libertarianism Philosophy Explained

What is libertarianism in philosophy? Is there a safe limit to how much freedom individuals may have? Libertarianism states that the goal of the state is to maximize personal freedom. This goal comes from the libertarian belief that people own themselves. That said, libertarians do recognize that it’s the government’s role to prevent people from limiting the freedom of others. Keep reading to learn about the key tenets of libertarian philosophy.

Richard Cooper: Reasons Not to Get Married—Ever!

Is it a good idea to get married and tie your life with one person in the 21st century? What are some reasons not to get married? In his book The Unplugged Alpha, Richard Cooper strongly advises men against ever getting married. As Cooper points out, even if you do get married, you’re likely to get divorced. Here’s why you should steer clear of marriage, according to Cooper.

The Impact of the Black Death: Parallels to the COVID Pandemic?

What were the origins of the Black Death? What impact did the plague have on society? Are there similarities to the Covid-19 pandemic? In The Silk Roads, historian Peter Frankopan discusses the Black Death in the context of East-West dynamics. He notes how it changed the world economy and the balance of power. Some commentators compare that shift to today’s Great Resignation. Keep reading to understand the impact of the Black Death and how it compares to what we’re seeing with Covid-19.

What Is Utilitarianism Moral Philosophy?

What is utilitarianism in philosophy? How do utilitarians define morality? Utilitarianism is a moral philosophy arguing that the morality of an action or choice depends on how much happiness or pain it creates. “Happiness” to utilitarians (which they call “utility”) means pleasure and the fulfillment of desires, while a lack of happiness means pain or deprivation of desires. Keep reading to learn about the key tenets of utilitarianism philosophy and how they apply to real-life political issues.