Imagine a college course so captivating that it not only fills lecture halls but also sparks global conversations about justice, ethics, and what it means to live a good life. That’s the power of Michael Sandel’s teaching, and it’s why the Harvard professor has just been awarded the prestigious $1 million Berggruen Prize for Philosophy & Culture. But here’s where it gets even more fascinating: Sandel’s course, aptly titled “Justice,” isn’t just a campus favorite—it’s a cultural phenomenon. First offered online in 2007, it has since been viewed by a staggering 40 million people worldwide, inspired a public television series, and sold over 2 million copies of its companion book. And this is the part most people miss: Sandel’s work isn’t confined to academia. His books, translated into more than 30 languages, tackle bold questions like What Money Can’t Buy (2012) and The Tyranny of Merit (2020), challenging readers to rethink the values that shape our society. Is meritocracy truly fair, or does it perpetuate inequality? That’s the kind of debate Sandel ignites, and it’s why Nicolas Berggruen, founder of the Berggruen Institute, praises him for infusing ethics and reasoning into public discourse at a time when the world desperately needs it. Sandel joins an elite group of past winners, including philosophers Charles Taylor, Martha C. Nussbaum, and Peter Singer, as well as the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. What makes Sandel’s journey even more compelling? He studied under Taylor, the prize’s first recipient, during his time as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University. So, here’s the question: Can philosophy still change the world? Sandel’s work suggests it can—and perhaps more than ever. What do you think? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
