SIAF event with Professor Michael J. Sandel

The Tyranny of Merit: Can We Find the Common Good?

In recent decades, the divide between winners and losers has deepened, fueling populist protest and putting democracy in peril. World-renowned philosopher Michael J. Sandel explains how we arrived at this dangerous political moment and suggests how we can repair our civic life.

American star pilosopher Michael Sandel teaches political philosophy at Harvard University. His books — on justice, democracy, ethics, and markets — have been translated into more than 30 languages. He has been described as “the world’s most influential living philosopher” (New Statesman). Sandel’s latest book, "The Tyranny of Merit: Can We Find the Common Good?", was awarded the Hans-Matthöfer-Preis für Wirtschaftspublizistik and was influential in last year’s German election, when Olaf Scholz drew on themes of the book in his campaign. Sandel’s free online course “Justice” has been viewed by tens of millions of people. His BBC series “The Global Philosopher” explores the ethical dilemmas lying behind the headlines with participants from around the world.

Upon invitation by the Swiss Institute of International Studies, he held a talk and answered questions at Zurich University this fall.