Michael Sandel teaches political philosophy at Harvard University. He has been described as “the most relevant living philosopher,” a “rock-star moralist,”(Newsweek) and “currently the most popular professor in the world.”(Die Zeit)
His writings—on justice, ethics, democracy, and markets–have been translated into 27 languages. His legendary course “Justice” is the first Harvard course to be made freely available online and on television. It has been viewed by tens of millions of people around the world, including in China, where Sandel was named the “most influential foreign figure of the year.” (China Newsweek)
Sandel’s books relate the big questions of political philosophy to the most vexing issues of our time. They include What Money Can’t Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets; Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?; The Case against Perfection: Ethics in the Age of Genetic Engineering; and Democracy’s Discontent: America in Search of a Public Philosophy.
His BBC series “The Public Philosopher” explores the philosophical ideas lying behind the headlines with audiences around the world, including a discussion of violence against women, recorded in India, and a debate about democracy in Britain’s Parliament. In Brazil, he recently led a debate on corruption and the ethics of everyday life that reached an audience of 19 million on Globo TV. On NHK, Japan’s national television network, he led a discussion with students from China, Japan, and South Korea on history and moral responsibility.
Sandel has been a pioneer in the use of new technology to promote global public discourse. In a new BBC series, “The Global Philosopher” Sandel leads video-linked discussions with participants from over 30 countries on issues such as immigration and climate change.
Sandel has been a visiting professor at the Sorbonne, delivered the Tanner Lectures on Human Values at Oxford, and given the Kellogg Lecture on Jurisprudence at the U.S. Library of Congress. A member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he received his doctorate from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.
Sandel’s lecture tours have taken him across five continents and packed such venues as St. Paul’s Cathedral (London), the Sydney Opera House (Australia), and an outdoor stadium in Seoul (S. Korea), where 14,000 people came to hear him speak.
Profiles and Interviews
Harvard Gazette: “Michael Sandel’s passion for justice”
The Observer Profile: “Michael Sandel: Master of Life’s Big Questions”
Financial Times: “Lunch with the FT: Michael Sandel”
New York Times: “Justice Goes Global”
Der Spiegel (Germany): “Sokrates in Harvard”
Die Zeit (Germany): “When Harvard’s Michael Sandel philosophizes about justice, the world listens”
Le Monde (France): “Michael Sandel, passeur de justice”
Harvard Gazette: “Michael Sandel’s passion for justice” The Observer Profile: “Michael Sandel: Master of Life’s Big Questions” Financial Times: “Lunch with the FT: Michael Sandel” 
New York Times: “Justice Goes Global” Der Spiegel (Germany): “Sokrates in Harvard” Die Zeit (Germany): “When Harvard’s Michael Sandel philosophizes about justice, the world listens” Le Monde (France): “Michael Sandel, passeur de justice”
Television Interviews
Stephen Colbert, 2011 (Justice)
Stephen Colbert, 2012 (What Money Can’t Buy)
BBC News HARDtalk, 2013, Michael Sandel, part 1 (14:14)
BBC News HARDtalk, 2013, Michael Sandel, part 2 (9:44)
Interview with Brian Lamb, C-SPAN, on Democracy’s Disconent, 1996 (58:38)
Interview with Charlie Rose, 1997 (14:25)
SRF Kultur, Sternstunde Philosophie (in German) 2013 (58:10)
Stephen Colbert, 2011 (Justice) Stephen Colbert, 2012 (What Money Can’t Buy) BBC News HARDtalk, 2013, Michael Sandel, part 1 (14:14) BBC News HARDtalk, 2013, Michael Sandel, part 2 (9:44)
Interview with Brian Lamb, C-SPAN, on Democracy’s Disconent, 1996 (58:38) Interview with Charlie Rose, 1997 (14:25)
SRF Kultur, Sternstunde Philosophie (in German) 2013 (58:10)
Public Forums and Special Events
“Money and Morals Sharing the Stage with Shakespeare,” New York Times
“Shakespeare, Money, and What We’re Worth,” Wall Street Journal
“A funny thing happened on the way out of the Forum,” Boston Globe
“Man vs. Machine” Harvard Gazette
“Democracy, Debated in Parliament,” Harvard Gazette
“Pedro Martinez Dazzles at Harvard,” Boston Globe
“U.S. Professor is Hit in Seoul,” Wall Street Journal
“Sandel addresses U.K. Labour Party Conference”, The Guardian
“Seeking Ethical Clarity,” Harvard Gazette
“A Harvard Professor and a Dance Star Team up for an Unusual Event,” Wall Street Journal
“Money and Morals Sharing the Stage with Shakespeare,” New York Times “Shakespeare, Money, and What We’re Worth,” Wall Street Journal “A funny thing happened on the way out of the Forum,” Boston Globe “Man vs. Machine” Harvard Gazette “Democracy, Debated in Parliament,” Harvard Gazette “Pedro Martinez Dazzles at Harvard,” Boston Globe “U.S. Professor is Hit in Seoul,” Wall Street Journal “Sandel addresses U.K. Labour Party Conference”, The Guardian “Seeking Ethical Clarity,” Harvard Gazette “A Harvard Professor and a Dance Star Team up for an Unusual Event,” Wall Street Journal
