Michael Sandel (1943-) is a contemporary political philosopher. He is the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government at Harvard University and was educated at Balliol as a Rhodes Scholar, studying under Charles Taylor, after graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Brandeis University in 1975. Sandel subscribes to the theory of communitarianism (although he is uncomfortable with the label), and in this vein he is perhaps best known for his critique of John Rawls's A Theory of Justice. Rawls' argument depends on the assumption of the veil of ignorance, which allows us to become "unencumbered selves." 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... Harvard University (incorporated as The President and Fellows of Harvard College) is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ... Rhodes House in Oxford Rhodes Scholarships were created by Cecil John Rhodes. ... Brandeis University is a private university in Waltham, Massachusetts, United States. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... Communitarianism as a group of related but distinct philosophies began in the late 20th century, opposing aspects of liberalism and capitalism while advocating phenomena such as civil society. ... John Rawls (February 21, 1921 – November 24, 2002) was an American philosopher, a professor of political philosophy at Harvard University and author of A Theory of Justice (1971), Political Liberalism, Justice as Fairness: A Restatement, and The Law of Peoples. ... A Theory of Justice is a book of political and moral philosophy by John Rawls. ... The veil of ignorance is a concept introduced by John Rawls in A Theory of Justice. ...

Sandel's view is that we are by nature encumbered to an extent that makes it impossible even in the hypothetical to have such a veil. Some examples of such ties are the ties we make with our families, which we do not make by conscious choice but are born with them already attached. Because they are not consciously applied, these ties are impossible to separate from someone. Sandel believes that only a less-restrictive, looser version of the veil of ignorance can be possible. Rawls's argument, however, depends on the fact that the veil is restrictive enough that we make decisions without knowing who will be affected by these decisions, which of course is impossible if we are already attached to people in the world.

Sandel has taught the famous "Justice" course at Harvard for two decades. "Justice," conducted in Sanders Theater, is the first and only moral philosophy and reasoning class most Harvard undergraduates take. More than 10,000 students have taken the course, making it one of the most highly attended in Harvard's history. The fall 2005 class is the largest ever at Harvard, with a total of 1,027 students. It is also offered online for students nationwide through the Harvard Extension School. Sandel also teaches "Ethics and Biotechnology," a seminar considering the ethical implications of a variety of biotechnological procedures and possibilities. Harvard University is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, and a member of the Ivy League. ... Sanders Theater or Sanders Theatre is the premiere lecture and concert hall at Harvard University. ... Harvard University is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, and a member of the Ivy League. ...

Sandel previously served on the President's Council on Bioethics. A controversial entity, created by George W. Bush, whose purpose is to regulate (or, at least, tell the president how he ought to regulate) biotechnology and biomedical research. ...

His latest book, "Public Philosophy," is a collection of essays published over the years, examining the role of morality and justice in American political life. Particularly insightful is his commentary on the role of moral values and civic community on the American electoral process--a relevant and much-debated aspect of the 2004 election and current political discussion.