Lecture at Harvard: Michael Sandel on Justice and the Good Citizen
Reflection of the Lecture
In his lecture “The Good Citizen,” Michael Sandel explores several aspects reflecting on the purpose of politics, as was suggested by Aristotle. That serves as one of the key arguments that the lecture builds upon highlighting the value that ought to be placed on politics as it relates to social development. From this point of view, Sandel engages his students from the basis that Aristotle was an advocate for politics, as he believed that this would help in promoting and cultivating the virtue for its citizens. Sandel provides several key quotes that bring out a generalized sense of understanding associated with the vital role that politics plays in ensuring that every person in society achieves a good life. That serves as the basis of my reflection towards trying to understand how Sandel views the position taken by Aristotle on the importance of politics.
One of the main questions that Sandel seeks to answer in his lecture is whether indeed engagement or involvement in politics ought to act as a guarantee that the government would provide a 'good life' to its citizens. In my view, the idea of a good life is reflected by the need for people to lead a life that they can consider as being comfortable and one that does not expose them to social challenges. From this point of view, it is essential to examine Aristotle's argument as it relates to highlighting how politics would help establish a front for the achievement of social objectives towards living a good life. Sandel brings out Aristotle's view of politics by suggesting that it is reflective of what every person ought to consider as part of advancing the need to engage in politics.
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Sandel brings out a clear sense of understanding of the fact that Aristotle's teleological reasoning on the importance of politics can only be justified when evaluating the end or purpose of one's engagement in politics. Aristotle explains that polis is derived naturally, as it is reflective of how humans were able to build on the associations of human interactions since the early centuries. When discussing how politics relates to humans, Sandel reiterates the position taken by Aristotle that indicates that politics allows humans to realize their nature. In other words, this means that one can only be viewed as being human, depending on his or her engagement in politics. That creates the need for having to ensure that every individual will have the will to get involved in a politics, in one way or another, as a justification for having to create a potential platform through which the community would live a 'good life.'
On the other hand, Sandel’s argument that seems to support the position by Aristotle on the importance of politics can also be justified from the fact that it seeks to bring out a clear-cut connection between polis and human virtue. Aristotle views politics from the perspective that it is reflected in more unaffected communities, which may include the family, household, and village, each of which serves as a political unit. My analysis of this position indicated that Aristotle could reflect on how politics affects our everyday life as one of the ways through which to highlight how polis relates to human virtue. My understanding of this is that human virtue is defined by how persons can build on their political associations as part of the individual lives.
Sandel also extends Aristotle’s argument on the importance of politics reflecting on the fact that human beings are not self-sufficient when living outside a polis, which is reflective of the need for having to ensure that every individual engages in politics. From the excerpts that have been presented in the lecture, it is clear that Aristotle believes in the fact that polis comes before an individual while considering that individuals are only able to sustain their lives when living in a polis. From this point of view, what is most notable is the fact that Sandel projects Aristotle's belief in the polis as a way of projecting its in-depth value to the community as a whole. In my analysis of this position, I took note of the fact that Aristotle believes that living in isolation may have notable implications on one's social development. Consequently, he suggests the need for having to live within a community or society that is reflective of the polis as part of improving one's social outcomes.
Another critical aspect that I was able to note from the lecture is the fact that Sandel suggests that politics is one of the critical elements that allow for a polis to move towards the common good. Engagement in politics is essential towards distinguishing between humans and animals, considering that it gives humans a clear sense of understanding of they ought to establish a front through which to achieve the common good. In this lecture, Sandel can bring out an argument that suggests that the common good can only be achieved by ensuring that the polis is allowed to build on its normal function. Basically, Sandel supports the view that the polis exists for the sole purpose of having to ensure that every individual achieves a good life.
