Justice: What's The Right Thing To Do? Episode 02: "PUTTING A PRICE TAG ON LIFE"

To register for the 2015 course, visit www.edx.org/course/justice-ha....
PART ONE: PUTTING A PRICE TAG ON LIFE
Today, companies and governments often use Jeremy Benthams utilitarian logic under the name of cost-benefit analysis. Sandel presents some contemporary cases in which cost-benefit analysis was used to put a dollar value on human life. The cases give rise to several objections to the utilitarian logic of seeking the greatest good for the greatest number. Should we always give more weight to the happiness of a majority, even if the majority is cruel or ignoble? Is it possible to sum up and compare all values using a common measure like money?
PART TWO: HOW TO MEASURE PLEASURE
Sandel introduces J.S. Mill, a utilitarian philosopher who attempts to defend utilitarianism against the objections raised by critics of the doctrine. Mill argues that seeking the greatest good for the greatest number is compatible with protecting individual rights, and that utilitarianism can make room for a distinction between higher and lower pleasures. Mills idea is that the higher pleasure is always the pleasure preferred by a well-informed majority. Sandel tests this theory by playing video clips from three very different forms of entertainment: Shakespeares Hamlet, the reality show Fear Factor, and The Simpsons. Students debate which experience provides the higher pleasure, and whether Mills defense of utilitarianism is successful.

[@DanielPeaster]

This guy should teach a class called: “How To Instantly Memorize Names”

[@cadkls]

Notice what he does after hearing a name, he repeats it back to himself and others a couple of times, this technique helps greatly in memorising names rather quickly. It solidifies it in your mind.

[@bhavikrughanibr]

Micheal Scott could be a co professor in that class 🤣

[@damlabozkurt6720]

@@bhavikrughanibr 🤣🤣

[@hanhan3538]

@@cadkls Great

[@cadkls]

@Lukasz I used spaced repetition to keep it around, ill repeat a name immediately after hearing it, then repeat their name a few minutes later, then maybe 30 mins later etc depending on how long the interaction is.

[@umair6547]

I am a mechanical engineering student, i don’t know why I am listening this lecture a day before exam.

[@jitendrasinghsolanki9350]

Hassan, from where are you?

[@bimmjim]

@U Hassan .. What is the numerical risk that an airplane with 400 people on board, will crash on one flight from San Francisco to Tokyo? .. By one way of calculating it, it is ~10^-7 . This is based on the statistics for crashes. .. But there is another way: Since risks are additive, you can add up all the risks of the critica parts, systems and subsystems. Try that. .. Now get back to your studying. An Engineering degree is much more difficult than all that other crap. *Engineers are the GrownUps*

[@TrulyLordOfNothing]

Because you'r not interesting in waiting until the exam is done to watch it.

[@shwetabharati893]

@rickson right. ..I'm also watch this before the exam....and I can't wait to finish the exam to watch this

[@mohammedasif9246]

Same here bro i am a student of information Science and tomorrow i have exam

[@alokkumar-wu1vp]

I feel privileged to live in the era when I can watch Harvard lectures for free........

[@theresnothingness]

You should watch more because its 'Harvard' and not 'Harward'.

[@sajjadsaleem3014]

​@@theresnothingness What's in a name dear ?

[@amirrezajamadi4179]

​@@theresnothingness I just can't stop laughing 🤣. Can laughing be my highest desire?

[@Juliadesol]

Me too

[@primeho115]

I'm doing my research in Philosophy of Accounting. This morning i sent an email to Professor Michael Sandel for asking permission to cite his material based on this forum. After 10 hours, i got a reply directly from him... giving me permission. Oh.. you know it feels like amazing grace when got his reply. Thank you so much, Professor. God bless.

[@anweshaganguly2545]

Which email had you sent it to? If you don't mind sharing, please?

[@ZoeVong17]

That is amazing!

[@paulanthonypadilla2751]

@@anweshaganguly2545 it's probably on Harvard's directory-a quick google search of the prof's name should yield his Harvard email address

[@juanalejandroramirezcalder8768]

May you share your email to talk about your research, please?

[@r.p.8906]

@@paulanthonypadilla2751 he is not in Harvard any longer

[@pierreguyalyphilippe849]

And he always remembers students'name even if it's 30 minutes after their opinions.

[@ahsanmohammed1]

Yes I noticed too

[@aiist6743]

@@ahsanmohammed1 mashallah tbark allah alhamdulillah inshallah better astagfirullah

[@aiist6743]

@S C mashallah tbark allah alhamdulillah inshallah better astagfirullah

[@aiist6743]

@Aisha Mapnoo mashallah tbark allah alhamdulillah inshallah better astagfirullah

[@sophia6297]

that made me like him even more!

[@IronDogger]

Thank you Harvard for posting these lectures. I miss the luxury of going to lectures and having educational debates. When I recover from Leukemia, I hope to further my education so this is keeping me hopeful until then. I would go to school for the rest of my life happily with lectures like this. Thank you.

[@agubata1]

This is coming late but I hope you recover fully and have the opportunity to pursue your academic dreams. Best of luck

[@JayTohab]

Hope you are doing well, Iron Dogger!

[@johanna38311]

hope you are doing well!

[@alexquyenvo5196]

Iron, hope you're getting better !

[@IronDogger]

@@alexquyenvo5196 🙏🏽Thank you! On the upswing!

[@kamalkamal0123]

00:26 - Putting a Price Tag on Life 01:00 - Introduction to life of Jeremy Bentham - Manifestor of Utilitarianism 03:58 - Phillip Morris Study Czech Republic - ⬆️ of excise in smoking Phillip Morris Cost/Benefit Analysis - found net substantial gain to state if citizens smoke - But it misses the cost of trauma faced by family of deceased and value of person's life 06:52 - Ford Pinto Case - what should be the value of life? can we even measure the value of life in monetary terms? Also thought to ponder upon here is that - Is it justified to arrive at a moral conclusion using utilitarianism in each and every case? pinto case - fuel tank in the rear -- reasoning for not incorporating extra safety measures is derived from a cost-benefit analysis. An analysis that incorporates value of life as $2,00,000 19:29 - Objections to utilitarianism - Utilitarianism fails to respect individual rights + not possible to aggregate all values and preferences into $$ 22:47 - Thorndike study conclusion - 'Any want or satisfaction which exists, exists in some amount and is therefore measurable. 25:29 - Ethical Dilemma regarding Terrorist and Torture Contention between Utilitarian approach and Categorical approach 30:41 - While objecting to the Utilitarian approach - it is contended that not possible to aggregate all values and preferences - But why is it necessary to aggregate all values? Isn't there distinction b/w higher and lower pleasures and pains ? 31:36 - Quote by Jeremy Bentham - "The quality of pleasure being equal, pushpin is as good as poetry." 34:02 - Utilitarian 'John Stuart Mill' reply to objections of Bentham's philosophy of utilitarianism - He states that the idea that our de facto actual empirical desires are the only basis for moral judgment. Also he affirms the possibility of distinction b/w higher and lower pleasures 38:51 - John Stuart Mill assets that higher pleasure is the one which comes naturally -- followed by an experiment of the visual experience of Shakespeare, fear factor and Simpson. 48:02 - Quote by John Stuart Mill - "It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied. Better to be a Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied. And if the fool or the pig are of a different opinion, it is because they only know their side of the question." 50:23 - Justice by John stuart Mill - "Justice is a name for certain moral requirements, which, regarded collectively, stand higher in the scale of social utility and are therefore of a more paramount obligation than any others." in the hindsight - It is observed in lecture that, absoluteness of either of approach can be easily contradicted with basic sense of today's moral standard. lt is the dynamic balance, we try to perfect as progressive beings. A balance which exactness is founded on circumstances of application.

[@ambitiousqueen4025]

Thank you so much .. 🙏. And you please take care of your time too.

[@kamalkamal0123]

@@ambitiousqueen4025 thank you

[@mceacademy8012]

Thank you for this summary

[@Mr.Jasaw13]

thank you man, I really appreciate this when doing my reviews

[@dipesh_pujara]

Good way to deeper ur understanding through revision by this and help others 😉

[@sanjitsiriguppi832]

I like how he doesn't judge his students, he simply appreciates a diverse point of view. I wish I could sit in his class someday.

[@ErnestAPerezL]

I really am impressed with the Professor and the clarity with which he teaches.He seems like a class act and a person that one would love to have a conversation.

[@ram1011]

The icing on the cake is...his expression remains the same irrespective of the answer and continues with the same temp...as you said ..."a class act" indeed.

[@rashmiraghavan2632]

he seems to have thought and answered all those questions before!! hes too good

[@chantalleblanc6358]

accurate

[@palaknavdiwala7473]

How much I wish for a teacher like him is indescribable. I'm trying not to sound demeaning to my actual professors but they are not as qualified as the ones available at highly reputed Universities.

[@sarah-jaynewalker5205]

@@palaknavdiwala7473 he is an awesome political philosopher called Michael sandel. He does a series of radio 4 discussions called the public philosopher which are great too. And he has books. He is wonderful at what he does 👍

[@theoroborous7077]

The problem with the whole idea of "For the Greater Good" is that most of the people who make decisions based on that idea are quite assured they are part of the "greater good". One must ask our conscience how we would have taken the same decision if we were part of the worse of minority.

[@bcshu2]

The problem exists that its usurps the individual for the masses, period. The individual is not sovereign but a subject. It abolishes the concept of personal rights, freedoms and liberties.

[@jenm1]

This, and the fact that you don't actually know which consequences your actions will have. It's a fundamental flaw in consequentalism, and gives moral weight to sentient life intrinsically, whilst contradicting itself and saying the life doesn't matter, but the degree of suffering the actions might cause.

[@jenm1]

@Rayan You're saying it's an error to compare two different moral dilemmas? I think the prof made like with like by implying the other parties will die if you do not choose them, so it's not their happiness vs someone else's death. It's death vs death

[@jenm1]

@Rayan I think i misunderstood what you said, because I thought you meant it wasn't okay to kill 1 person to save 5, since that's for the benefit of the 5's happiness.

[@BriloD12]

Here are my thoughts. Fundamentally, we aren't omniscient, and never will be. Therefore, consequentialism is immoral. There are gradations of omniscience, but to predicate a determination of ethics on a correlation between choices and outcomes (which is all we CAN do without true omniscience - play a game of statistics) is to play God.

[@roughpatches]

I appreciate seeing older folks in these lectures - lifelong learning!

[@rosy3803]

Makes me want to go back to the uni badly

[@roughpatches]

@@rosy3803 Some of us vermin didn't even go to Uni 😃

[@myriamfersing7935]

Great stuff I am 63 modEl why are not all teachers so inspiring in 1978 it was you I would have required...I gave up law because it was so repetitiv formula Letter writting...little did I know that litterally 3 years later I would be trewn into British sociéty from France...knowing the laws helps under standing a lot of society these young students are Lucky top of thé pyramide of éducation.

[@yuouyang4207]

Just for personal interest

[@PranjalDugar]

"You have to adjust for inflation" - hangover from economics class 😎. These are the kind of class mates that I want to make my studies much more interesting.

[@C3yl0]

Haha the Coarse Theorem lol

[@OughtaBeFun]

He addresses every question that I ask myself in my head. This guy is just too awesome.

[@maksimbanin]

Yes, your highness!

[@mehbubulalam7889]

Lelouch Vi Britannia yes my lordo

[@SweetComputing]

@@mehbubulalam7889 uwu uwu

[@unknownchannel3141]

Same.

[@jonting7847]

No. It’s coz u have the same questions as from last 100 years of debating this stuff They compile it into a syllabus

[@chandrikav9197]

This is the best thing ever happened on the internet.. learning on KZbin has now become my highest pleasure.

[@akashhuyaar]

Yes fr, I wish if I knew that we can learn things from KZbin when I was in school, It would have been great

[@iamnobody7625]

I like your view

[@maksbeats7842]

@@iamnobody7625 эцьэио.. .,

[@organizedchaos4559]

What other courses you recommend?

[@Alex3000...]

I agree....

[@nuddle2360]

I can't express how thankful I am to Harvard for spreading free knowledge

[@onlinestudent4457]

Now I realised why these top universities are always at top🔥 He is such great teacher even after straight 13 year still like I'm in his classroom 🌃🙃

[@secho1359]

0:54 that one guy sleeping through one of the greatest lecture series ever

[@identidem]

Maybe just high on something Dah

[@billusandda5845]

what IF he didnt sleep the night before. He might have needed it and i mean they have recordings of it....tho he missed the chance to participate irl and actually be a part of it.

[@maz1319]

I have a question: what's the difference on putting a price on a human's life and calculating how much time one person should spend in jail due to a crime he/she committed? In this class, they start debating: can we put a price on human life? and everybody seems so shy while debating, however, our society does a similar calculation everyday: how much time one must spend in jail because he stole something or murdered someone, etc. How do we calculate that one person must spend 2 years in prison for theft? How do we decide that one must spend 30 years in prison for murder? How do we get to this numbers? To my view, calculating how much time one should spend jail due to a certain felony or misdemeanor is pretty much the same discussion as putting a price on somebody's life.

[@tylrp24]

Thanks, that was really thought provoking. I never gave much thought to how we just arbitrarily slap people with however many years of prison we feel like giving them. It gives me the same uneasiness that assigning a dollar sign to a human life does

[@gwanghyeongim768]

+Ma Zonis Thanks for sharing your inspiring thoughts. They helped me to ponder limits of utilitarianism more clearly.

[@user-nf1oz6wg6g]

+Ma Zonis Well, actually there is no last conclusion about whether it's just to put a price on human life. People just don't like the ideal, but in the real world, no matter you like it, decisions must be made. For example, we must trade off between the risk of dying in earthquake and cost more to build stronger buildings. Because in the end, government must have a standard of anti-earthquake. In the decision making process, some one must put a price on human life and other factors or there would be no roof at all in the world to gain the max level of safety in earthquake. The reality is, there are limited choices on hand, and people find all of them are morally unperfected. In fact, there isn't any absolutely safe action for human. So, the ideal that don't put a amount on human life is just a opinion rather than a truth, even if the public agree with it. It's the naive of the public(we must admit public are not always right). In one sentence, it's earth here, not heaven.

[@p3tr0114]

+Ma Zonis I don't speak for Mr. Sandal but: "How do we calculate that one person must spend 2 years in prison for theft?" Until there is sufficient evidence that they will not re-commit, assuming the laws they broke are justified.

[@maz1319]

p3tr0114 great answer!! however, in this case, we shouldnt be talking about penal law i think, we should be talking about schooling and re-introduction to society.

[@MaVichhayOfficial2022]

Finally I can attend the highest university in the world without costing any money. I am so happy to be here, this lecture is also relevant to my course. It helped me a lot to understand more about this course. I am curious to learn and gain new experience from this class. Thanks you

[@edraymonds7641]

Schooling in Harvard is got to be very demanding, student often face a lot of problems trying to balance their college life of study and other activities they might engage in, I can tell very much from my time as a student. Faced with a lot of challenges and stress as a result, most student lack in lots of ways and more financial as the cost of education keeps rising. Glad over the past few years, I have helped a lot of undergraduate by exposing them to good financial routes to help maintain their financial situation while in school.

[@hanshkumar2764]

That’s nice of you, I remembered my days back in university of California I was faced with lots of students loan. Which set me back a lot on debt even after been a graduate.

[@kimhauge1792]

It’s a very sad experience, and it messed up my grades back then.

[@stacyandrews5468]

Still settling mine😔

[@lorienwhite1087]

I find myself in this very same situation, I have resulted to seeking part time employment. But it’s not easy and I try, how do you assist undergraduates maybe and advice would be very helpful.

[@aryanmalhotra4520]

It took me sixteen months before I was able to clear my student loan debts, I had to work extra hours. Glad it worth it, I just landed a new job with Microsoft.

[@Skymanyo]

This has about 5 million less views than the first episode. Looks like people are virtually dropping out of this lecture lol

[@joannboyd8855]

It strikes a nerve and just maybe some people have a temporary attack of concious

[@bimmjim]

@Skylar Kilgour .. In Engineering, there is a ~66% drop-out rate between the first lecture and the final achievement of a degree. [That is for people who pay the first year tuition.]

[@milly4543]

it's because most people have trouble sticking with something unless they have some external motivation (in this case college credit, a certificate, a degree.. etc)

[@unknownchannel3141]

We're here.

[@chaveraoh]

Views do not matter. The content can defend itself at ease. Great stuff. It has reached even Poland. I am not a student :) He IS a great teacher!

[@mylifestories3385]

I am experiencing higher pleasure by watching this video instead of enjoying some meaningless hours on Facebook. What a great lecture!

[@TheRwiticulousGuy]

I wish Indian Education "System" had a social media account so that I could tag them here or send this to the system about "HOW TO TEACH"

[@TheRwiticulousGuy]

@@vansh3777 yk what I mean

[@cam0987]

@@vansh3777 EXACTLY man

[@sourabhjadhav7929]

@@vansh3777 Because society has multiple needs and Govt has to follow up on all of them. Its not just Health and Education that matter. Would a healthy and educated India wont face refugee problems ? NRC is a population census exercise ? It will be expensive. So, should we not take it up ?

[@rovingeye75]

It works both ways. If you are not Harvard worthy you don't get Harvard professors.

[@rovingeye75]

@@vansh3777 On PPP basis the salaries of Professors in India are pretty good. The issue is of productivity and engaging the private sector more with accountability to strong non-corrupt regulatory bodies. Harvard is a private institution with deep government connection.

[@sunnyvalecaliforia]

What an age we live in! The less fortunate, like me, who don't get to go to Harvard get to attend these lectures. What a privilege technology affords us!

[@vanessaverner8480]

I agree

[@vfergi8196]

I just love this guy and his teaching method...I wouldn’t miss any class...be afraid I would miss all these great points😩

[@lakshmiprasanna2292]

Bhagavadgita says, “Keeping yourself as the yardstick, seeing others as equal to you, consider what is pleasurable and painful to them.” (6.32) This is often a great way to discern right from wrong.🙏

[@fatsheep668]

I've known this class for a long time, and I am a trained Sociologist. I've never viewed the course though, thinking the stuff being discussed here may be too "superficial" for a professional social science researcher. But I instantly got attached to this course when I listened to the first class. The content is great, but the way Michael delivered the content is just fascinating. Thanks Harvard for making all the videos public without ads.

[@unknown-jt9os]

I'm pharmacy student and I really loved that kind of lectures.

[@gunawan1303]

One of the best youtube recomendation in my year so far. And im glad Harvard gave us a change to write down a comment below on this video.

[@christeljoytolibas5173]

JUST FOUND THIS ONE OUT AND THIS LECTURE IS SO GOOD. I BECAME MORE AWARE OF MYSELF WHEN IT COMES TO REASONING ONE SITUATION

[@francisc.nkhata3070]

From the time run into these lecturers, I have just been addicted and day barely passes. If we all thought along the same lines and application of such knowledge, I the world could have been a much better place

[@bhumikasharma4773]

I am a university student, in the same major, our professor always says about leading philosophers including MICHAEL SANDEL and I always felt so bad for having such great teacher, but thank you Harvard and professor Sandle for this free course, I hope you will add more for people like me!!

[@cultureclique2173]

Two things, 1- what an amazing professor, inspiring and knowledgeable, his approach is what I loved the most, he doesnt give you the answer, he makes you fight for it! Thats how you creat great thinkers instead of followers 2- If only America could understand that free education would creat great thinkers that would build a healthy society piece by piece. Here I am on a beach in Central America and was able to pick up two philosophy courses at Harvard for free. I just got a perspective in life! Imagine if we could provide the world with free education, wouldn’t it be a better place? Thank you @Harvard University for providing free materials without ads!

[@youwanttosurvivebeloved4731]

🍎🙏🍎

[@youwanttosurvivebeloved4731]

" He doesn't give you the answer he makes you fight for it " 🙂👌

[@v1ko1337]

What makes it really good is the quantity of examples given throughout the whole presentation. It makes it interactive and intriguing and keep the audience interested to the subject.

[@poojarana7270]

The best teacher and philosopher that I have ever come across.

[@greymatter666]

i had to rewind many times to fully absorb his class great lecture thank you, Harvard :), cameraman, youtube

[@maheshagarwal4131]

the cost benefit analysis in ford case is itself flawed....the cost section needed to count in the loss in brand value due to these faulty designs,also they should have included the settlement charges too in the cost!!!!

[@gurjotsingh8934]

And also consideration of future loss of sales owing to fear of jeopardy...

[@iski4317]

It was likely heavily simplified

[@J-IFWBR]

after all the ford analysis is not a moral question but an economical.. utalitiarism thinks morals are an economic problem.. they are not =D

[@ksmphumphong]

I love the ways you teach your students by asking some challenge questions to them.

[@ehsaneheskandarinejad9204]

I am a PhD student of Education Management. I know what I am watching: something really amazing for my tomorrow short lecture on his book: "The Tyrrany of Merit". I think I will begin to read his books one by one during this summer.

[@Xestra37490]

Love this program for those of us who can’t get opportunities to Harvard education to be a part is immensely pleasurable:-) Love this program and thank You 🙏🏼

[@drizztdourden5291]

Dam I wish we had teachers like this man I would've stayed in school.

[@redjess232]

The subjects he is talking about are quite complex and heavy, but he presents them in such a way that makes it clear to understand!!!

[@serendipity_2]

This man's memory power is just wow.

[@lseul8812]

This is why Harvard is so great! I wish my lectures had been facilitated in such a way. It’s brief lectures with frequent debate and forming of their own ideas.

[@shantanunair]

12:10 Cost-benefit analysis used to analyse cost-benefit analysis.

[@t8m8r]

Cost-benefit squared meta-analysis

[@simontmiller]

yes exactly

[@johnsalas9436]

The Harvard experience is amazing. Thank You all for showing me some Love I was literally alive with excitement and the students were just as amazing as Iconic Harvard 🙏 Blessed

[@mz6367]

I have a final exam tomorrow but I couldnt prevent myself from watching this episode ,good luck guys I hope a successful life to everyone

[@Broomful]

I'm a highschool freshman right now I shouldn't even be here but Glad i am.

[@mz6367]

@@Broomful so am I , sorry I didn't notice your comment

[@antonnyotieno4128]

I took these classes online as a moment to explore beyond what I already know. I am inspired that these classes offer me with a joy in the quest to ask questions that as much as I know they matter, I always brush them off.

[@Anabrazil70]

This is a great lecture. It's very good to think about so many shades of grey between right and wrong. I wish I had had professors and classes like that during my course in University in Brazil! Thank you for sharing with people from all over the world such good opportunities to learn!

[@ShafiqulIslam1996bd]

I am from Bangladesh. Though I am not a good English speaker and listener but I am really passionate about his lecture. Thanks sir

[@jeremygutierrez4847]

I graduated with degree in Mechanical Engineering, but why I am enjoying and very interested listening to this episode?

[@PrincessTrunksBriefs]

Never in my life did I think I'd be up all night listening to lectures on Justice.

[@madhujai_shiksha]

It is not my subject but I couldn't stop me when start watching this lecture till I watched whole series.

[@alyonaryabovalova7354]

Geez, these lectures are much more interesting than those which I have ever had throughout my bachelor/masters studies. Bravo!

[@lilianaprina5991]

I had fallen in love with Shakespeare when I was intellectual capable to understand his meaningful words. Nobody told me to like him, I love Theater.

[@evazhang3232]

I am a civil engineering student, I guess I know why I am listening to this lecture a day after an exam.

[@jeffreyharrison3731]

I think The Simpsons can be viewed as a course pleasure on one level. On another level, it regularly tackles big issues like immigration, guns, corporate downsizing, sexism, and pollution with surprising sophistication.

[@iaindcosta]

I am reminded of a buddhist quote that says something like: " you think you're choosing between happiness and sadness, but really you're just choosing between two types of sadness"

[@silenttruth3932]

It's that the happiness people choose aren't really happiness, but just sadness in disguise in the form of sensual pleasures.

[@junaidrasool6967]

Leave the philosophers aside, I'm actually here for the professor. He really is the ‘master of the art’. I hardly watch KZbin lectures because they all seem boring at some time, but here I'm, two episodes in two days. Thank you Harvard.

[@Leslieconnito]

People forget that every day is a different day for each of us. A higher pleasure on a well-slept night is a a different experience than a higher pleasure on a Friday night after a long arduous week. Utilitarianism is well imbedded in the media. Especially on network tv. Love these lectures!

[@rajaniomkar7523]

Looking at the vulnerability/multitudes of human judgement in the wake of shifting grounds of justice scenarios, a formal/rigorous training in law/justice becomes a categorical imperative not only in government institutions but across every informal justice dispensation platforms.

[@NavneetSrivastavercse]

One of the best lecture series I have come across in recent times :) Thank you to the speaker

[@samchen2618]

So grateful this series of lecture is available to the public. Thank you so much. Watchin second epi. I be sure to watch finish if not i be doing myself such injustice

[@animikhaghosh6536]

I don't know why even the music at first increase s my heart beat .it's home quarantine 2020🥰

[@zinadiari3212]

Oh I completely identify, you are not alone. I think we have become alert due to the toxic news flood. I had to pause auto videoplaying on social media, cause my heartbeats jumps at the start of the sound .. 🙃🙃

[@futureme7644]

I must admit that nothing till date has swayed me towards using my judgements more than this. I'm truly mesmerised by this. Thank u, Harvard

[@MajorKeyvanNourhaghighiiran]

Thank You Very Much Harvard form IRAN for allowing the people of the World be able to enjoy the BEST LECTURES IN LAW by the Best Professor and Very Smart Students contribution during lecture; and as it has been said correctly " Im not the same person with those mentality, after hearing all new views to different issues...

[@criticallywrong824]

Thank you Harvard University! and thank you Mr.Sandel and whoever made this possible!

[@Xestra37490]

God I never get tired of watching it. Thank You 🙏🏼

[@marizzapiaandrade325]

I think most of these problems would be much easier to solve if we didn't only compare the overall pleasure of the two or more outcomes, but also the overall pain. Cause I think less pain is better than more pleasure. Example: Romans and Christians - With the practice of burning Christians the overall pleasure of Romans would be high as well as the overall pain of Christians. With the practice banned, the overall pleasure of Christians would highly increase but overall pain of Romans I doubt so much. So banning of the practice seems like the right answer. That's the balance he was talking about and that's how I think all of this should work.

[@yoona1989]

Marizza Pia Andrade So in essence, 1 unit of pain avoided > 1 unit of pleasure. If so, we have to fix a value. This is where minority and majority comes in again. because to save 1 christian at the expense of 1000000 romans' pleasure wouldn't be utilitarian at all. Though i feel what you pointed out is interesting, the problem isn't really resolved :)

[@marizzapiaandrade325]

***** Hmm yes, it could be worked on, I agree. In truth it is really hard, if not impossible, to measure something like that on an overall scale especially cause everyone feels different. But through the combination of empathy and simple logic I think the goal is achievable, at least in theory. :D

[@libertymedianews]

right

[@steeltrap3800]

+Marizza Pia Andrade Clearly the Catholic church disagreed, hence the auto da fe. ;-P

[@maxsimes]

but genereally speaking, more pleasure equals less pain. see, the romans had the gladiator fights for the same reason we have alcohol. without it the sociological consequences could be fatal for society. riots would break out, crime would increase etc..

[@user-sx4ob3qb4g]

Amazing, love how this takes me back to my student days. And thanks Harvard for keeping the standard.

[@shaziasameen9687]

I have my semester exams, still watching this for no reason at all.

[@opuruemuria4713]

I am glad to watch the same without any advert

[@thrasher2863]

I like how the “up next on justice” transitions seem like them old judge shows they’d play on cable 😂

[@gloriakim2616]

I was legit thinking that

[@muhammadzahirul]

I am overwhelmed watching the lectures. Experiencing strange but wonderful blending of logic and philosophy while reasoning ideas. Thanks to Harvard University.

[@sandyasandy6679]

I was just 10years when these videos were taken but right now I am preparing for competitive exams by watching them

[@abdell_rb4519]

I've got nothing to do with law, I'm computer science student, but I've watched the first episode of this man randomly(he's a brilliant lecturer btw), and it attracted me to watch the second one and so on, this is so fascinating, all the things about justice and morality, what is Justice? how do you define justice? who has the right to make justice? what gives one individual the right to judge others? And is Justice relative or absolute? This questions all seems fascinating to me, by the way there's an anime called "Death Note", if you haven't watched it i highly recommend, (law students) you're gonna relate to it.

[@maxma9326]

i think shakespeare's plays are usually played to the peasants of his time? and a lot of the languages he use and references he use, that we had to learn, are easily understood by ppl of his time, so i think in a way, shakespeare was the simpsons of his time lol

[@francemaster]

so happened with Mozart, his operas were loved by all of Vienna, doesn't mean they are equivalent to the usual top pop chats

[@bruninhOh01]

I thought the same when I heard the example. Shakespeare was popular culture in his time. In the same way, Simpson is popular culture today. I agree with Peter Burke when he argues that when the "intelectual culture" accept something in it own culture, so put it in it books, then this become "appreciate", or "erudite", or "desirable". If we go back in 16 centuries and ask to a scholar which is better, if Shakespeare's theater or a Greek Tragedy, obviously he will laugh in your face and choose the last... I'm not saying that's Simpsons are the new Shakespeare, but I'm saying that everything that's emerge for the popular culture received the label of "bad thing" or "pig pleasure" to speak with Utilitarianism.

[@shubhampandey6687]

Max Ma we clarify the pleasure in term. Of relatively because no one can see all the time Shakespeare or any thing. We can feel or measure it by means of one 5 another.

[@johnmartin2813]

Not just the peasants ('groundlings') but the nobility as well. Which is why everything is said twice, once for one audience the second time for the other.

[@digiowl9456]

@Maria Callous That is very true. But Shakespeare was poor and un-appreciated in his time. His plays were shown at the Globe to peasants since the ticket in was only about a pence. There were no seats either, if I remember correctly. Just poor people standing around a round stage, watching some playwright's concoctions. Only after his death were scraps of his plays recovered from the actors and people associated with him, and put together in the books we read today. So while his plays are definitely subtle and include great moral lessons, they also include crude language and vulgar jokes. Someone living in the same times as Shakespeare, when asked if he preferred Shakespeare or Greek tragedy would most likely, first of all, say who? And then say they obviously prefer the Greek tragedies which were very high culture at the time.

[@destr0yed]

love that reaction of the dude with Google t-shirt at 29:00

[@Somerandomsnickersbar]

👁👄👁

[@waqaskanwal1356]

His style is awesome. Even he is delivering complex ideas but audience are not getting bored.

[@vickycorvette6481]

Brilliant isn't he I don't feel like iv been sat hear nearly 2hrs watching him!

[@shakeelhussainiofficial7222]

Great to hear and see superb model of teaching learning method while taking difficult topics in easiest manner. The point i like was that pleaure can be meausred through experiencing and than perference the most ecstatic one..

[@salahuddin2329]

Thanks a lot. All these classes are very much interesting and informative.

[@aaalllexxx]

36:56 Sandel teaching JOHN Stuart Mill Sandel: "What's your name?" Student: "JOHN" Sandel: **nothing** (Somewhere in the background) Chandler (pressing his temples): Too many jokes!

[@mulungijonathan5501]

what wonderful knowledge l can gain from these conversations.Thank you Harvard Unversity for these public lectures about utilitarianism

[@fedrosfieros693]

Thank you so much for having this course available.

[@mikecondos1672]

Take the number of vehicles in the field, A. Multiply it by the probable rate of failure, B. Multiply the result by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A x B x C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one."

[@itsalljustimages]

At 18:38 that "majority" could achieve the same level of happiness(utility) by other means. In most of the examples, we have categorically excluded possibility of alternatives

[@mrsrtsrk]

I can say that I am enriched today after watching these first 2 lectures

[@ranjeet1042]

That’s amazing to how understand the critical categorical questions about justice and so on❤

[@bntagkas]

minimizing pain>maximizing pleasure

[@attlee2010]

bollyblob not at the gym. Pain is good.

[@TheRedMooncorp]

I am afraid that this logic may, depending on the extent on which you apply this, lead to a static unsatisfying life, since you can minimise a lot of suffering by reducing freedom.

[@jenm1]

@@TheRedMooncorp like nuking the planet. Reducing/eliminating suffering isn't a good strategy. A better one is coming up with baseline ethics for all sentient life. Another problem with eliminating suffering is it effectively means a finger prick to one sentient being wouldn't be allowed even if it brought up the net pleasure of the world. It's a self-defeating principle.

[@hughjnus4256]

@@jenm1 everyone is in favor of allowing suffering for the greater pleasure until the suffering is inflicted upon themselves.

[@akiinefaexperiencinglife]

@@hughjnus4256 right, Jesus still holds the record

[@nmkmit]

High pleasure while watching these lectures. This is great very grateful to Professor.

[@ahmadkamal8311]

I am 83 years old and a retired biology professor. I enjoyed this lecture very much. Ahmad Kamal Retired Biology Professor City Colleges of Chicago Chicago , IL 60464

[@MarkDApple]

Im a 32 year old guy, caregiver in japan and im listening to this one 😂

[@dantean]

Simple economics problem already solved nearly a century and a half ago: value is subjective. You're not gonna be able to decide how much someone ELSE values a thing without a market for at least an approximated cost guidance--but there are no markets in murdered loved ones to help anyone estimate how much money someone's going to want for their murdered loved one! No study intended to guess how much I value my grandmother (as well as pain and suffering costs) is going to get that right--EVER! Multiply that problem by tens of thousands of people and you can see how crushingly stupid the whole project of a cost benefit analysis designed to figure out what killing someone else's loved one is going to cost you is. Amazing!

[@jmpsaved]

Well, in all fairness they award money in cases to people for their"pain and suffering". How exactly do you put a number on a feeling, in this case of pain and/or suffering? I'm not sure, but it exists and is used all the time.

[@Ashnesss]

Unfortunately and shockingly, there are twisted people who justify intentional vile and evil actions, as long as they get their desired result or intend on getting their result. Such as abusers who keep on abusing and bullying someone thinking the person will eventually give in to their desires, despite lack of consent, warnings of the victim suffering from suicidal thoughts and no intention to give in to the abuser. And abusing someone for your own personal gain, justifying it using financial means, cause you have nothing else to offer, only shows how shallow and evil some people are. They obviously don't value human life. So it's not shocking that there's a small number of people that put a price on a life that no longer exists. The aftermath you endure cannot be calculated in monetary sums. And money cannot bring back time, a life, etc.

[@joannboyd8855]

Theres a market for everything

[@C3yl0]

Because we can’t rely on the market to answer all our issues neither to answer all our disputes. As soon we start to apply a system that was meant solely as a tool for goods and services into other things that are not equally related the entire process is corrupted.

[@fredayuma7891]

I wish i could have been at this lecture in person, im hoping to get into school this year to study law, i have a degree in communication but i got it for my dad, sad but true.

[@as3346]

Not sad. Noble. Because, you are progressing.

[@bonfacemoriki7464]

I had a dream of joining Harvard from Kenya 😢 I am glad to listen to this 😊

[@ShadowZZZ]

Watching these ethics lectures instead of popular mainstream youtubers surely is an intellectually higher pleasure of more moral worth.

[@ameetkumar4161]

I am very much inspired with these lectures

[@cinziaciccarelli5106]

I find your classes extremely pleasant and interesting. As to today's topic, I think political choices are never thoroughly impartial and they are always made in the interest of a part rather than of a different part, when not in the interest of stronger economic groups. So, I think it is really difficult to circumscribe a public utility which is not just an abstract idea. The point is: to whose costs or to whose benefits?

[@sangeetaamarkarmath9714]

How lucky were the students that time. They didn't need to wear mask. They were just preparing for better future and good job opportunities and look at this present time we are suffering with this contagious disease since we first got to know about it 17 November 2019. Really a tough time 😢

[@anil69jain]

Amazing content, flow and reasoning - I only wish I had come across these lectures earlier in life! Many thanks to all those who made this possible!