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Michael Sandel

  • Harvard University Professor
  • "Rock Star" Philosopher
  • Host, BBC's 'The Global Philosopher'
  • Bestselling Author of 'The Tyranny of Merit', 'Justice', and 'Democracy's Discontent'

Harvard University professor of philosophy Michael Sandel has been described as a “philosopher with the global profile of a rock star,” known across the globe for his lively Socratic debates that aim to restore the lost art of respectful discussion. Sandel is the bestselling author of books on justice, ethics, democracy, and markets that have been translated into over 30 languages. Sandel has been a visiting professor at the Sorbonne, delivered the Tanner Lectures on Human Values at Oxford, served on the U.S. President’s Council on Bioethics, and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. A graduate of Brandeis University, he received his doctorate from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.

Sandel’s books—on justice, democracy, ethics, technology, and markets—have been translated into more than 30 languages. They include Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?; What Money Can’t Buy, and The Tyranny of Merit: Can We Find the Common Good?, which seeks a way beyond our polarized politics. A new edition of his classic book Democracy’s Discontent has been described as “essential--and ultimately hopeful--reading for all those who wonder if our democratic experiment will survive in the twenty-first century.”

Sandel’s legendary course “Justice,” one of the most popular in Harvard’s history, is freely available online and has been viewed by tens of millions. His BBC series The Global Philosopher engages participants from around the world in discussing the ethical issues lying behind the headlines. In this and other television, radio, and online programs, Sandel explores tech ethics, robots and AI, markets and morals, climate change, free speech, and other topical issues.

Sandel’s renowned interactive public lectures on the big civic questions of the day show how reasoned debate, leavened with humor and mutual respect, can produce dialogue across our differences.

A “master of life’s big questions” (Guardian), Sandel’s live events have packed St. Paul’s Cathedral (London), the Sydney Opera House (Australia), the Delacorte Theater in New York’s Central Park, and an outdoor stadium in Seoul (S. Korea), where 14,000 came to hear him speak. 

 
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Past Hosts Include:
  • Fujitsu Forum
  • Charles Schwab & Co.
  • Bank of America/Merrill Lynch
  • Price Waterhouse Cooper
  • Barclays Capital Asia Forum
  • Infosys
  • Citigroup
  • European Central Bank
  • World Economic Forum, Davos
  • Google Zeitgeist
It was sensational. He's sensational. Wow. I'm inundated with emails saying how wonderful the evening was. I'm still reveling in the pleasure of the occasion.
More rave reviews

"Just a quick note to thank you immensely from the depth of my heart for your splendidly interactive engagement with us at the Aditya Birla Scholarships’ Silver Jubilee celebrations. The feedback has been excellent, and our scholars were simply floored as were most of us. It was indeed a unique experience. I personally express our deep gratitude to you. I was overjoyed when our Chairman gave such a resounding heads up to your talk. There was never a dull moment."

-Aditya Birla Management Corporation Pvt. Limited

"Professor Sandel’s visit to Seoul was a marvelous success. The response to his visit was simply overwhelming. He was like a rock star! Some 4,500 people packed the auditorium for his public lecture. It was the biggest auditorium in Seoul, and I’m sure had we had a bigger one, we would have filled that, too."

-The ASAN Institute for Policy Studies

"Michael Sandel is a philosopher with the global profile of a rock star. He’s a Harvard professor who doesn’t just lecture in halls, but in stadiums."

-Tim Franks, BBC News HARDtalk

"Sandel engaged our students with verve, passion and grace. His questions and remarks challenged them to examine the fundamental questions of our day, and students continued the debate well into the next day. Kudos to Professor Sandel for a great evening!"

-University of Mississippi
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Michael Sandel on Justice: What's The Right Thing To Do? "THE MORAL SIDE OF MURDER" | Harvard University - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Michael Sandel
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Justice: An Interactive Debate

How to Apply Cool-Headed Reason to Red-Hot Topics

MICHAEL SANDEL has been said to foster “the best Socratic dialogues since Socrates.”

With the goal of restoring the lost art of democratic argument, he presents an open-ended, controversial question, and guides the audience through a civil exchange of ideas. Suspense builds as the microphone travels across the audience as you never know where the conversation will go. Audience members walk away energized and with a deeper understanding of the issues, having dissected perspectives from conflicting angles. Based on his world-renowned course at Harvard, this presentation is an opportunity for your audience to join together and think through the hard questions and ethical dilemmas of everyday life. The Justice experience is different with every audience and is highly customizable to your event. Dig deep into the topics that matter most to your audience, from broad issues like climate change, artificial intelligence, or affirmative action to more specific concerns like employee vs employer pay or the role media plays in our democracy.

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A Better Public Discourse

Harvard’s MICHAEL SANDEL speaks directly to the urgent hunger in the United States and around the globe for a transformative kind of public discourse. Addressing the politics of grievance and the widening divide between elites and non-elites, Sandel brings a powerful message that resonates deeply today about how to foster a vibrant civic culture, driving meaningful change. We must repair the tears in the social fabric before it’s too late. In this talk, Sandel explores the roots of our polarization and suggests what we can do to reunite across differences to bring democracy back from the brink.

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What’s The Right Thing To Do?

Is it ever right to break the rules for a greater good? Would you lie to protect someone you love? How much is a life worth? In this lively, highly interactive session, political philosopher MICHAEL SANDEL leads audiences through real moral dilemmas and asks them to decide — and defend — their answers. Rather than offering a single conclusion, Sandel shows how moral reasoning helps people think more clearly, listen better, and make decisions with purpose. The result is a conversation that feels alive and personal, long after the event ends.

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The Power of Values-Based Leadership

Harvard professor MICHAEL SANDEL challenges leaders to adopt values-based leadership—an essential framework for navigating today's complex landscape. Sandel inspires leaders to prioritize civility and active listening, calling them to action to unite and inspire others around a purpose-driven vision. His insights pave the way for creating a more ethical and engaged organizational culture, where everyone thrives.

Key takeaways from this talk include:

  • Defining Core Values: Effective leaders articulate their fundamental beliefs—integrity, honesty, respect, and accountability. These values are not just words; they are the guiding principles that shape decisions and drive actions.
  • Finding Authenticity: Values-based leaders practice what they preach. By embodying their principles, they cultivate trust and credibility, fostering deeper connections with their followers.
  • Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks: Sandel emphasizes the importance of considering the ethical implications of every choice. Leaders should prioritize the well-being of their teams, communities, and stakeholders over short-term gains.

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The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Will Tech Change What It Means to Be Human?

Harvard professor MICHAEL SANDEL leads compelling discussions on the benefits of AI alongside significant moral questions about identity and the essence of being human. Sandel questions whether technological advancements truly enhance our lives or risk commodifying human experiences, encouraging audiences to examine what constitutes a good life and how technology should promote human flourishing rather than detract from it.

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Author Talk: 'The Tyranny of Merit'

In this presentation, MICHAEL SANDEL challenges the prevailing ideology of meritocracy and rejects our reliance on credentialism, following the framework of his book The Tyranny of Merit: Can We Find the Common Good? He argues for a reevaluation of values to create a more just society and heal the widening divide between so-called winners and losers.

We live in a world where hard work leads to success and prosperity—or so they say. The reality is that the odds are stacked in favor of the already fortunate, and those born without means will often work themselves to the bone only to barely scrape by. But the idea that we live in a meritocracy is driving misinformed attitudes about success. Society’s “winners” see their gains as borne from merit alone, discounting the role luck plays in their abundance. Those on the opposite end of the spectrum are blamed for their own misfortune, rather than being acknowledged as victims of circumstance.

Information on book buys and signings is available upon request. 

Books by Michael Sandel
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Biography
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