Thanks to the New York Times, I learned yesterday that WGBH-TV in Boston was broadcasting and webcasting a Harvard philosophy course, "Justice", taught by professor Michael J. Sandel.
I logged on today, and it's terrific; I can't recommend it highly enough. (WGBH website is here; the episodes are also available at justiceharvard.org, which also offers beginner and advanced discussion guides.)
According to the Times article, by Patricia Cohen, the lectures being used were taped in 2005 and 2006 and were "first used for Harvard's Extension School and for alumni."
Prof. Sandel begins with some classic ethical hypothetical stories: Imagine you are the driver of a runaway trolley car, whose brakes have failed; if you continue down the current track, you will hit five workmen and kill them; alternatively, since the steering is functional, you could turn down a side track, in which case you would strike and kill "only" one workman. What should you do, and why?
Other questions that are raised include: Can a case ever be made for cannibalism? What's the value -- in dollars -- of a human life? What happens to "natural rights" when we agree to join society and abide by society's laws?
Yummy, yummy stuff.
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