Affirmative action, same-sex marriage, physician-assisted suicide, abortion, national service, the moral limits of marketsSandel relates the big questions of political philosophy to the most vexing issues of the day, and shows how a surer grasp of philosophy can help us make sense of politics, morality, and our own convictions as well.

Doing the right thing -- The greatest happiness principle : utilitarianism -- Do we own ourselves? : libertarianism -- Hired help : markets and morals -- What matters is the motive : Immanuel Kant -- The case for equality : John Rawls -- Arguing affirmative action -- Who deserves what? : Aristotle -- What do we owe one another? : dilemmas of loyalty -- Justice and the common good.