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Michael J. Sandel's Justice Analysis

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Harvard political philosopher Michael J. Sandel, in his book Justice, refers to the “pain of sympathy” felt by many “tenderhearted souls” when they are faced with poverty, on the streets and elsewhere, and how they wish that there was something being done to stop it (35-36). He also speaks about the reaction of “hardhearted folk” who feel “the pain of disgust” upon seeing homelessness in their own communities and have no sense of pity for them (Sandel 36). In pondering human welfare, it is easiest to solve widespread problems by thinking of overall, hypothetical solutions. The issue of poverty in America (in many cases) comes from the socioeconomic class system that traps people in the class from which their parents came. A just society does everything it can to level the metaphorical scales that create this trap so that its people’s accomplishments and welfare reflect their talent and effort in the field.
As previously stated, America’s current state caused the formation of a caste system that prevents talented, hard-working people from attaining success. In a just society, all people are given equal access to education and opportunities that they don’t get today. Our current system tries, and fails, to accomplish this through Affirmative Action, busing, sdfljgsad;g. This results …show more content…

This unjust society not only hurts individuals within it, it hurts itself. Though a just society of this type may sound like an impossible utopia, many countries and philosophers have made strides in trying to attain this equity among their people. Socialism is one extreme, but positive idea that attempts to be just by supplying people with the freedoms necessary for success. While America tries to create equality by helping the economically disadvantaged, socialists try to create equity by getting rid of economic

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