Justice — Season 1, Episode 3: Free to Choose/Who Owns Me?

Episode synopsis

Sandel introduces the libertarian notion that redistributive taxation—taxing the rich to give to the poor—is akin to forced labor. If you live in a society that has a system of progressive taxation, aren’t you obligated to pay your taxes? Don’t many rich people often acquire their wealth through sheer luck or family fortune?

About Justice

Justice is the first Harvard course to be made freely available online and on public television. In this 12-part series, college professor Michael Sandel challenges us with hard moral dilemmas and invites us to ponder the right thing to do—in politics and in our everyday lives.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1The Moral Side of Murder/The Case for Cannibalism
• E2Putting a Price Tag on Life/How to Measure Pleasure
• E4The Land is My Land/Consenting Adults
• E5Hired Guns?/For Sale: Motherhood
• E6Mind Your Motive/The Supreme Principle of Morality
• E7A Lesson In Lying/A Deal Is A Deal
• E8What's A Fair Start?/What Do We Deserve?
• E9Arguing Affirmative Action/What's The Purpose?
• E10The Good Citizen/ Freedom Vs. Fit
• E11The Claims Of Community/Where Our Loyaty Lies
• E12Debating Same-Sex Marriage/The Good Life