Affirmative action, same-sex marriage, the moral limits of markets--Sandel relates the big questions of political philosophy to the most vexing issues of the day and shows how a surer grasp of philosophy can help us make sense of politics, morality, and our own convictions.

From the Publisher:

"For Michael Sandel, justice is not a spectator sport," "The Nation"'s reviewer of "Justice "remarked. In his acclaimed book--based on his legendary Harvard course--Sandel offers a rare education in thinking through the complicated issues and controversies we face in public life today. It has emerged as a most lucid and engaging guide for those who yearn for a more robust and thoughtful public discourse. "In terms we can all understand," wrote Jonathan Rauch in "The New York Times," "Justice ""confronts us with the concepts that lurk . . . beneath our conflicts."

Affirmative action, same-sex marriage, physician-assisted suicide, abortion, national service, the moral limits of markets--Sandel relates the big questions of political philosophy to the most vexing issues of the day, and shows how a surer grasp of philosophy can help us make sense of politics, morality, and our own convictions as well.

"Justice "is lively, thought-provoking, and wise--an essential new addition to the small shelf of books that speak convincingly to the hard questions of our civic life.

Tagged: Philosophy