Michael Sandel - Are There Things Money Shouldn't Be Able To Buy? 

i put these lectures on loudly while i'm cleaning and i get lost in the stories and arguments, thanks for providing a little escape.

Perhaps one of the best public speakers in the world, scores high on both presentation and content! 10/10 would recommend

When you say that those Oxford students seem immature and unknowledgeable in comparison with the Harvard students in 2009, you forget that the Harvard students were actually studying this subject and were required to read the works of Kant and other numerous handouts, whereas the Oxford Union is simply a debating society and thus the audience there is from different academic backgrounds, many of which have little (if at all) to do with ethics

I love how about 5 minutes in, he just switches to "professor mode" and just goes with the discussion.

"..overcome the bad habit of outsourcing our moral judgements to markets.."

As far as paying kids to read, I think the argument Josh made is very valid. It's like what happened with high-stakes testing in the 2000s. Teachers actually gave their students the answers to these tests so that they wouldn't be at risk of losing their jobs. Teachers started teaching kids how to pass the test and as a result the kids weren't learning any critical thinking skills and would solve problems and answer questions more like a computer than a human being. Incentivizing learning didn't help at all, and paying kids to read books won't help either. They won't become more thoughtful, careful readers, they'll just be chugging through them to earn those two dollars.

This is a very good topic which needs to be explored further. Thanks to Professor Michael Sandel. My take is, there should always be things that money should not be able to buy.

his book: 'moral limit of markets' was my top 5 favourite book ive ever read...and i read a lot of books. i even have a library room in my own house!

listening to some of these oxford students make not-too-great arguments was so good for my self-esteem

I loooove how the professor paraphrases the students' responses to clarify model language, terminology and communication. Excellent!!

Sandel for president !

It's very frustating to be able to see this socratic type of class and not be able to participate. Awesome!

I am speechless with his wisdom. This is an amazing lecture. 👽♥️♥️♥️

Wow! I love watching Prof. Sandel's teaching techniques. As a parent who successfully reared a child with ADHD, paying him for grades was the initial incentive that got him hooked on reading and learning, as school work was very frustrating for him. Then, the intrinsic value of learning took over. My son then graduated from Harvard Law. For low income children who face deprivation and lack, they need the tangible reward of seeing the results of their efforts. For my child, I made a graduated scale (okay the scale was long ago): $5 for the first A, $6 each for two A's, etc, so that all A's ended up being worth $10 each. It was highly motivational. I reasoned that when I work, I get a financial reward even though my work has other great values and contributions. For young children, doing school work is their job. We put monetary values on everything in life. If you are hit by a drunk driver and left maimed or paraplegic, no amount of money can pay you for the loss of your limbs, but putting a dollar compensatory value on it is all we can do.

Our body is some sort of gift to keep it . Where as our knowledge is acquired , gained from society or institutions. Selling our knowledge can’t be the same as selling our body.

Most insightful student comment is at 27:02 -- "you have to make another argument about how selling a kidney or sex is essentially different from selling your intelligence" -- effectively generalizing the terms of the debate from prostitution and kidneys to all work, and the degree to which we instrumentalize ourselves in everyday life.

it is amazing to see how these philosophical questions impacts big issues in society.

I wish I could have participated in this. I'd have so many questions and answers in my want to learn. Oh well, thank you for this lecture!

Dignity..courage, grace can never be bought with money.... Thank you professor Sandel for your wonderful lectures that you bless us with freely..

How peacefully he discussing with students. Awesome!

His lectures are really so engaging and stimulating

Listening to your lectures have enriched my life. Thank you.

Thanks MR Sandel very very much for these 69 great minutes, thanks for the ideas the presentation the way you managed the participants. I'm so grateful for watching your lectures. Though it's so sad to watch such an impressive both lecture and debate and not be able to practice the idea of participating in a moral and human society. I'm writing this comment from Egypt where the concept of ethics and moral are almost vanishing, It's sad and frustrating that we would have been able to value our moral codes and live with our ethics comfortably and freely if only one wasn't born in such a doomed spot and time.

Really feel for the guy raising his hand at 51:14 . Captures exactly how I feel at busy pubs.

So good to hear these innocent students speak without understanding the context of the debate in the wider world

I really like those kind of debates those students are lucky to have you around them

He’s a rockstar in my eyes. I appreciate him so much.

Thanks for this amazing lecture again )) Lot of love from Namibia

OMG OxfordUnion keep these types of discussions and these guest lecturers and these types of videos coming. #Knowledgeporn

Michael Sandel ought to moderate political debates in the presidential elections.

You never can buy authenticity in relations. That is if you base only such relations by emotions. Emotions that fluctuates, emotions that judges anything that only goes along with it.(To be continued)

He has same wisdom like my father , very brilliant man. My father is full of knowledge

Noam Chomsky talks about this. How Neoliberalism has led to the utilitarian view of all things - without truly acknowledging and appreciating the intrinsic value of all living things. Neoliberalism leads to the privatization of what were once known as public goods, and turning everything into a commodity. In other words, putting a price on everything, based on a cost-benefit analysis. This is only looking at the utility of an object without truly understanding the consequences of potentially depleting or abusing a resource that we all commonly depend on. For example, when it comes to environmental problems - capitalists and the ownership-class would like to avoid stringent regulations administered by various agencies. They believe this will inhibit the free-market, and such an oversight is unnecessary, especially when it comes to supply a specific need. Putting a price on everything leads to the mental-framework of just looking at the costs of utility. You cannot put a cost in the biospherical integrity of the entire planet with finite resources. You cannot put a cost on a human-life when it comes to military conscription or giving a child up for adoption. The privatization and commodification of markets, has led to a very dichotomous view of what the cost to human life are. Neoliberal ideas have led to the socioeconomic disparity of differing classes, de-regulation of industries, and environmental costs to our entire biosphere. Capitalists are in pursuit of constantly seeking to expand the market and commoditizing everything. Putting a price on everything, for the sake of increasing their sphere of influence, for the sole purpose of primitive accumulation and profit maximization. In consequence, we see very depersonalized system that dehumanizes individuals. The false tautology of saying that the market determines allocates and distributes wealth and income in a neutral, impersonal, and fair way is the biggest lie. Market rules are organized, stipulated, and enforced by our legislature, administrative agencies, and courts - they ultimately determine what can be privately owned, what degree of market power is permissible, what types of contracts can exist between employer and laborer, and what is enforced in the free-market. Unfortunately, neoliberal ideas have proliferated, and espoused this false tautology that we live in a meritocracy - and that there must be a price on everything. They have abrogated and rescinded means of enacting more public good programs and safety-nets, and curtailed any efforts of correcting market deficiencies created by unfettered capitalism. Indeed.

Maybe the reason it could be considered "wrong" to sell our organs or bodies for sex would be that typically when we buy something we are using it as a tool and taking ownership over it. The object or the thing that is being bought automatically has less value than the buyer because the buyer is able to purchase it and own it. So in light of prostitution if you sell you're body you're automatically becoming less than the person who is buying your services. So even if the society was equal, and someone wasn't forced whether by violence or financial need, they'd still be valuing themselves as less than another.

insightful conversation with Professor Sandel

Thank you Michael sanders. Another reason markets are brought up often in political discourse is because politics and economics are almost inseperable. Because it has proven that countries with the largest markets wield the highest powers especially financially. Money makes the world go round. If we can't all come to a conclusion on what the acceptable values are and how the world is run, the next best thing is to control money. We don't all have the same values, sadly so. Even good values are unfortunately disregarded by some. Having money= having power= control. Most would rather just do what brings most money or makes their markets boom most at the expense of values. Again, because we don't all have same values. I believe in world peace, but does the country next to me believe so??? If we don't have the finacial resources to defend ourselves or even prevent ourselves from being trodden upon in any way. Markets might be a way to escape normative arguments and all but I can see why it is the core determinant for decision making.

I sincerely appreciate that he recognized that there may be a language barrier at 27:00 and adjusted to keep the flow of the lecture.

This man is a living treasure

a view from phenomenology could help. To distinct the esencial from the accidental, what's accidental can be bought , what is escential can not

Great talk, but a little ironic that this video has about 20 ads built in.

Thank You . I am so grateful to you!!

Dude this guy is a legend

I would like to offer Mr. Sandel a Mastercard.

Thank you Dr. Sandel.

The artful way Sandel gets her back on topic at 28:00 is wonderful - she has a point, but it's not part of the discussion - he doesn't even comment on it. A man of focus!

Brilliant, very good discussion here

From an accounting perspective, there are intangible assets, which are hard to value with money

There is no right or wrong...but a question of morality...that diffrences throu out time..(.for example middle ages ..now...the future??)..

It's truly sad that we lost the language to discuss sanctity of a life. I would say the objections to killing the rhino or selling oneself I to slavery etc... is what kind of person does the rhino killer or slave owner have to be to engage in this behavior? Are they a person you would want to be a friend of, spouse of, would a country full of those people be good trading partners or allies in a war? Would you be ok with your standard of living being dependent on slave labor? The rebuttal would be we can ritualize the attonement for these sins as necessary evils by having a sort of modern scapegoating event. We may offer up to the gods a goat in recognition that what we are doing is reprehensible but it is necessary for our existence in this case we could point to animal medical testing as a necessary evil. This ritualized event of forgiveness would counteract the character degradation such evil acts cause by recognizing that they are evil and permissible only to the extent that we have no other option but preventing further slide down this slippery slope. Ultimately whichever side you land on is subjective and neither opinion is correct or incorrect. I don't have an answer to this one but I at least understand the sides of the discussion.

I have seen his Harvard lectures and student participated so brilliantly and gave very rational and logical reasons. Whereas here students aren’t able to provide any sound objection to the question.

One must do things for the soul, and not let it be lost in your daily transactions. One must cultivate a pure soul, things of materials in nature will pass like everything else, you must answer for a higher calling, which I believe is self sacrifice.

I have seen his lecture they r very intellectual...this man is very smart...I'm from India

A great example of the Swiss character. Can see now why allocating monetary units in schools for extra responsibility led to a separation into leaders who get the monetary reimbursement and the disengagement of those being led. Collective co-construction was diminished and leaders ended up close to burnout. Market incentives of money lessen the communal aspect of a school community amongst professional colleagues.

I have an idea: let a whole group of Texas game hunters bid for the privilege of hunting each other on an unpopulated Pacific island, and use that money to protect the black rhino. It's a two-pronged approach; you increase the rhino population while reducing the game hunter population, and no rhinos are harmed in the process.

Excellent lecture!!

Interesting discussions, the same moral discussion are also being raised in psychology. However well intentioned, Money will always be used to corrupt others, even those with strong ethics and principles, especially when they have things in their past they are ashamed of or will effect their reputation or position of power. An those who live in poverty will always be exploited by wealthy powerful people. Thank you, Peace

Awesome session. Lol that guy in grey t-shirt has his hand raised Mr. Sandel !!!

51:32 I feel bad for the guy raising his hand all this time and not getting even one chance to speak 😔

yes , there are , & I shall remember you forever.

Sa palagay ko mas mabuting we should use our own body parts to live and let live, and even to love , to enjoy life rather than fighting even though it's individual choice for mutual love but not mutual fighting because we don't want bad result that could happen maybe even to cause use of force.

If money is the secret to motivation, then the rich should be dancing in the street. But only poor kids do that.

@38:28- this is easily countered with a minimum bid which is the normal practice in auction

he is like giving a lecture in the class

Evidence is a real sense of responsibility for any personal attributes to the real life experiences. Also the the detection of life and law in provide a deal with prerogative serial and momentum aspect of real property and individual news in real life situation,. More so it allows, the design and pattern of life.

So does this mean that Oxford or Harvard charging high tuition fees actually change the value of the provision of higher education? Does this mean that higher eduaction should be free or commodified?

More people need to watch this.

Anyone else think he looks like Tywin Lannister?

We do it all the time, we send our kids through education to see what it is they may like doing with their lives. They may not like many many classes but they still will learn and something might spark their imagination.

Money has its role, but it is not an end in itself and that should be taught to children. As a parent or a teacher you have a responsibility to teach the children a wide range of valuable things in life, be those material, or immaterial. First of all, you have to teach them that the most important things in life are things that are not material, like love, affection, friendship, kindness and so on. That should be the starting point for rewarding them. But than you should also teach them that material things also can bring a certain benefit, comfort and joy in their lives, so rewarding them with an ice cream, a week-end trip or a theatre ticket is also desirable. Finally, as they reach a certain maturity, rewarding them with pocket money sometime is actually beneficial. They should be prepared sooner or later how to spend, save, or even invest money. That said, I would only reward them with money on an occasional and unpredictable basis, and only after the reading is done, just to prevent them form the fallacy that money is the end goal.

Lecturing younger ones brings out the best in Michael - paying for certain things does diminish its value - I’ll seconds that - Buying and selling of kidneys - I’m not for it - It’s risky “ if you get dodgy kidneys “ it can be detrimental to health n life -does the kidney have a cell memory - you’d take on some characteristics / tastes of that doner-

'Education' is one thing that should not be purchasable with money/power; because that is the only key differentiator in the long run. It is the 'ideas' that truly govern nor the money neither the power. When quality education is accessible to the wealthy and powerful(as it is the case at present) , only privileged class governs the world(which has been the case so far).

I am an information technology person at York university in Toronto.

Aside from Josh's argument from the last case, majority of the students, if not all, didn't really think out their argument and have sound reasons for their argument. The first two cases were challenging though, but these are supposed to be Oxford students.

Depending who you are and how you’ll sell, something instead

Oxford university's student response totally different from the Harvard university's student

How does one go a out attending one of his speeches?

This really is an exciting debate. While Sandel looks pretty tired by the end.

Its a great thing there arent many adds in this video. Btw I think the truth shouldnt be sold for money.

Resoundingly yes. Magic is one of those things.

You are awesome Michael sandel 🎓🎓 love from india😍🙏

amazing conclusion

To answer the question of selling human organs, I would say to consider the idea of what makes us human. A human body consists of two legs, two hands, two eyes and so on. Although I will be able to survive if I sell one of these organs, I will not be able to function 100% as I would do with that organ. Can anybody imagine a 3 legged tiger?

I would like to argue on the point of paying children that it could function just like a scholarship does. Where aren't these kids paid for their high school (or secondary school) grades to attend more school, depending on how well they do? Furthermore, some low income children once they reach a certain age are forced to work to earn money for themselves and their family. If they were paid to go to school, perhaps they could be in competition with other students who are able to dedicate themselves fully to studying.

16:59 i was repeating what u just said 😂😂

Interesting analysis

If you sell your brain time to your employer, hopefully you are left better off -- with more skills and a better trained brain and greater understanding of the world. If you sell your kidney or work in a coal mine, you are probably not left stronger for it. Also, in terms of enabling secondary markets; it's much harder to suggest that intelligence produces criminal black markets in the same way organ sales do. Perhaps espionage can be considered, but the person with the inside or confidential information generally has to themselves be directly involved as compared to organ sales which have a much greater potential for externalizations due to the nature of organs being able to transported without the person who gave them following along.

Best argument is at 41:00 , my opinion

In other words will be choice. Where human have not choice there is no any shop! Like parents, immortality, where are human from, for example.

Mass and behind immortality is only what I can not buy for the money. Let me tell you, what is up on the energy any of us at this time can not buy. Our life quality is not so healthy.

I feel for the guy in grey sweater. Man left hanging 🤣

Guys, can help me with the name or data of surveys he mentioned? (the swiss radioactive and kids on charity)

Even if you pay someone to read more books, it still will open their minds

I'm clarified thank you 💕💕💕🎉

An economist would despise him

My favorite MP is the honorable Tin Peh Ling serving Grab in a prominent high position

Please put subtitles 🙏

Yes - my Adam "The Priest" Smith is here and told me to write this.

I'm soo soo late in commenting, rewatching this vedio and thinking he is the cutest professor ever😭😭

Seems they were not as much prepared for Sandel as were Justice class of Harvard!

these kids didnt come to the talk prepared. sandel had to constantly push them to structure and identify their core reasons behind why they thought the way they do and they clearly couldnt do it. you can sense sandel's frustration.