5.1: Aristotle as a Champion of Merit-Based Justice
Watch the rest of this lecture, from 25:51 to the end. Sandel addresses some of the arguments made in the debate over affirmative action as a form of distributive justice. He then introduces Aristotle as an advocate of a very different theory of distributive justice, namely, that social goods, such as jobs, political positions, and material goods, should be distributed based on their purpose. That is, Aristotle would argue that the University of Texas Law School should accept only those who are best suited to studying the law.
5.1.1: Overview of Aristotle's Political Theory
Read this article for an overview of Aristotle's Politics.
5.1.2: Aristotle: A Social Order Based on Virtue
Read Book One of Aristotle's Politics. Notice what Aristotle says about the family and politics in the first few chapters. Beginning with Part V, what does Aristotle say about slavery. Finally, notice Aristotle's comments about property, both in theory and in practice.