Commentary

Michael Sandel - Is walking the course part of the game of golf?

It's time to get way from ideological food fights, and rediscover the lost art of democratic agrument!

Health care, bonuses, same sex marriage. Just beneith the surface of these arguments lie the true big questions of justice and morale, but they hardly ever get discussed.

Justice is giving people what they deserve (Aristotle). So, who gets the flute? the best or the worst flute player? The best -  Because that is what flutes are for! Recognizing the purpose of a cause.

Golf: Casey Martin was a great golf player with a bad leg. When he asked for a golf cart to help him through tournaments, he was denied it, as it was seen as an unfair advantage. But is having a bad leg an unfair disadvantage. He went to court. The audience discusses whether walking the course is part of the game. It goes from fairness to a disabled golfer to passion for the game to respect for the athletic tradition of it. Court ruled: he can use a cart. After all, this is a game - recognize the essence of the argument!

How does this help to elevate the quality of political discourse? Do morale and religious convictions cloud mutual respect and political discourse? No, use people's morale convictions as the starting point for democratic argument, as they are part of the essence of each argument.

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