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The Public Philosopher

Factual: Politics

Political philosopher Michael Sandel examines the thinking behind a current controversy.

Harvard political philosopher Michael Sandel examines the thinking behind a current controversy.

The Public Philosopher: Series 1: Episode 2: Should a banker be paid more than a nurse?

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Series 1

Episode 2

Episode 2: Should a banker be paid more than a nurse?

Should a banker be paid more than a nurse?

BBC Radio 4 - The Public Philosopher, Series 1, Should a banker be paid more than a nurse?

Harvard political philosopher Michael Sandel questions the thinking beneath controversies.

Eminent Harvard political philosopher Michael Sandel brings his trademark style to a discussion on a topical issue, questioning the thinking underlying a current controversy.

The eminent Harvard political philosopher Michael Sandel brings his trademark style to a discussion on a topical issue, questioning the thinking underlying a current controversy. This week, he digs deep into the morality of high pay and bankers' bonuses. 

"My image of a banker is an overweight man behind a desk" says Alice. The audience bursts into laughter. "My image of a nurse," she goes on, "is an overworked woman who works night shifts and is constantly on her feet".

Michael Sandel asks "So by that logic, Alice, maybe there's a case for paying nurses more than bankers. Am I right?" 

Alice agrees and so begins Michael Sandel's journey through the morality of fair pay. 

He explores whether fair pay is a question of the importance of the contribution one makes, whether it is a reward for effort ...and whether it's the market that should define how much people should get paid. 

He questions whether Wayne Rooney gets the pay he deserves for "kicking a pigskin around a field for a certain period of time". 

In this series of public events, recorded at the London School of Economics, he challenges his audience to apply critical thinking and philosophical reasoning to a host of ethical dilemmas most people rely on gut instinct to resolve. 


Producer: Adele Armstrong.

The Public Philosopher: Series 1

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Harvard political philosopher Michael Sandel questions the thinking beneath controversies

Harvard political philosopher Michael Sandel questions the thinking underlying a current controversy

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The Public Philosopher

Series 1

Episode 2: Should a banker be paid more than a nurse?

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