Liberalism and the Limits of Justice (Cambridge Studies in Philosophy) [Paperback]

Michael J. Sandel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 29, 1982 | ISBN-10: 0521270774 | ISBN-13: 978-0521270779

A radical and original critique of modern liberal theory that examines the assumptions about the nature of the individual as a bearer of rights in liberal theory.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Michael Sandel's Liberalism and the Limits of Justice was instrumental in Launching the debate between liberalism and communitarianism which has dominated political theory for almost two decades..." Canadian Journal of Philosophy --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Book Description

A liberal society must govern by principles of justice that do not presuppose any particular vision of the good life. But can any such principles be found? These are the questions taken up in this penetrating critique of contemporary liberalism. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 199 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (October 29, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521270774
• ISBN-13: 978-0521270779
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,022,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Sandel is the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government at the University of Harvard. Sandel's legendary 'Justice' course is one of the most popular and influential at Harvard. In 2007, Harvard made Sandel's course available to alumni around the world through webstreaming and podcasting. Over 5,000 participants signed up, and Harvard Clubs from Mexico to Australia organized local discussion groups in connection with the course. In May 2007, Sandel delivered a series of lectures at major universities in China and he has been a visiting professor at the Sorbonne, Paris. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Council on Foreign Relations. Sandel is the author of many books and has previously written for the Atlantic Monthly, the New Republic and the New York Times. He was the 2009 BBC Reith Lecturer.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for anyone even remotely interested in poitics, morals, and law, August 26, 2008

By 

BBQ "mytwocents" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liberalism and the Limits of Justice (Paperback)

A dense but not a difficult read, Sandel's Liberalism and the Limits of Justice (LLJ) is a useful introduction to political and moral reasoning. The primary purpose of the book is to bring to the forefront the fundamental weaknesses of the liberalist position as according to Rawls, which LLJ succeeds in doing. The book is, however, not a full-on frontal assault on Rawlsian Liberalism, but a thought provoking challenge to its assumptions and logical inconsistencies. Particularly enguaging is the discussion of the notion of Personhood and how Rawls wavers on his application of that concept to his concept of Justice.