"Justice": What's The Right Thing To Do?

Book Review Name: Institution: Introduction In the review of the book ‘Justice’, what’s the right thing to do? An in-depth understanding of the word justice will be brought forth. When one is faced with a number of morally complex situations a just decision has to be made. However, every decision made has its own pros and cons. Michael Sandel’s the author of the book has been a professor for more than three decades at Harvard University. He has been teaching the course “Justice” and is therefore in the best position to give the best approaches to justice. He is known to dispense creative ideas in political philosophy and ethics in a straightforward manner in relation to the current issues. Throughout the article, Sandel`s has been using practical examples of the various situations that have taken place in the world and how they were handled. In addition to his own ideas, he also incorporates other principles from a wide array of philosophers. Addressing real issues from the legal and political controversies has been one exceptional thing about the article. It has also been an eye-opener for the people in the leadership positions. It makes them realize that using common sense makes better judgment than the knowledge which one can attain from an expert. Giving a fair and just judgment is important because it promotes unity in the world to people of all religions and races. Background Information Anything that counts as just should be able to give the most positive results depending on the situation at hand. However, in some situations, the wrong decisions are made and it ends hurting some innocent individuals. In the case of the hurricane for instance, where over twenty lives were lost and a damage of over 11 million dollars incurred various issues regarding justice arose. The money of innocent citizens was swindled as they had to pay very high prices for the commodities that were affected by the calamity. Increasing the prices at a time when the citizens were having difficulties is wrong and it violated their rights. There is, therefore, an urgent need to put in fair prices for commodities which will be applicable whether there is a disaster or not. According to some economists, there is nothing unjust about the gouge prices. To them, the prices are meant to favor other members of the same community and will therefore be an advantage to the same community. Sandel`s, however, disagrees with this argument and thinks that there is a significant need to evaluate as to how the society and the government are managed. Allowing people to sell goods and services at higher prices could lead to very serious consequences. Some which could drag the country behind economically. If a society focuses on achieving much it should be able to discourage greed. Greed is a vice that causes the suffering of others, especially the low-income earners. In a just society power, opportunities, income, wealth and many others are distributed fairly. For that reason, the distribution of goods and services in a community should be done fairly. In the modern society, the focus is on priorities over good. Sandel`s, however, disagrees with that idea and thinks that goods should be allocated to the best person. The only people who are able to come out v...