Michael Sandel

Michael Sandel Speaking Topics

• Justice: An Interactive Debate

  How to Apply Cool-Headed Reason to Red-Hot Topics

  Michael Sandel has been said to foster “the best Socratic dialogues since Socrates.”

  With the goal of restoring the lost art of democratic argument, he presents an open-ended, controversial question, and guides the audience through a civil exchange of ideas. Suspense builds as the microphone travels across the audience as you never know where the conversation will go. Audience members walk away energized and with a deeper understanding of the issues, having dissected perspectives from conflicting angles. Based on his world-renowned course at Harvard, this presentation is an opportunity for your audience to join together and think through the hard questions and ethical dilemmas of everyday life. The Justice experience is different with every audience and is highly customizable to your event. Dig deep into the topics that matter most to your audience, from broad issues like climate change, artificial intelligence, or affirmative action to more specific concerns like employee vs employer pay or the role media plays in our democracy.

• A Better Public Discourse

  Harvard’s Michael Sandel speaks directly to the urgent hunger in the United States and around the globe for a transformative kind of public discourse. Addressing the politics of grievance and the widening divide between elites and non-elites, Sandel brings a powerful message that resonates deeply today about how to foster a vibrant civic culture, driving meaningful change. We must repair the tears in the social fabric before it’s too late. In this talk, Sandel explores the roots of our polarization and suggests what we can do to reunite across differences to bring democracy back from the brink.

The Power of Values-Based Leadership

Harvard professor Michael Sandel challenges leaders to adopt values-based leadership—an essential framework for navigating today's complex landscape. Sandel inspires leaders to prioritize civility and active listening, calling them to action to unite and inspire others around a purpose-driven vision. His insights pave the way for creating a more ethical and engaged organizational culture, where everyone thrives.

Key takeaways from this talk include:

• Defining Core Values: Effective leaders articulate their fundamental beliefs—integrity, honesty, respect, and accountability. These values are not just words; they are the guiding principles that shape decisions and drive actions.
• Finding Authenticity: Values-based leaders practice what they preach. By embodying their principles, they cultivate trust and credibility, fostering deeper connections with their followers.
• Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks: Sandel emphasizes the importance of considering the ethical implications of every choice. Leaders should prioritize the well-being of their teams, communities, and stakeholders over short-term gains.

The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Will Tech Change What It Means to Be Human?

Harvard professor Michael Sandel leads compelling discussions on the benefits of AI alongside significant moral questions about identity and the essence of being human. Sandel questions whether technological advancements truly enhance our lives or risk commodifying human experiences, encouraging audiences to examine what constitutes a good life and how technology should promote human flourishing rather than detract from it.

Author Talk: 'The Tyranny of Merit'

In this presentation, Michael Sandel challenges the prevailing ideology of meritocracy and rejects our reliance on credentialism, following the framework of his book The Tyranny of Merit: Can We Find the Common Good? He argues for a reevaluation of values to create a more just society and heal the widening divide between so-called winners and losers.

We live in a world where hard work leads to success and prosperity—or so they say. The reality is that the odds are stacked in favor of the already fortunate, and those born without means will often work themselves to the bone only to barely scrape by. But the idea that we live in a meritocracy is driving misinformed attitudes about success. Society’s “winners” see their gains as borne from merit alone, discounting the role luck plays in their abundance. Those on the opposite end of the spectrum are blamed for their own misfortune rather than being acknowledged as victims of circumstance.