Description
Book Synopsis: Even in secular and civil contexts, marriage retains sacramental connotations. Yet what moral significance does it have? This book examines its morally salient features -- promise, commitment, care, and contract -- with surprising results. In Part One, "De-Moralizing Marriage," essays on promise and commitment argue that we cannot promise to love and so wedding vows are (mostly) failed promises, and that marriage may be a poor commitment strategy. The book contends with the most influential philosophical accounts of the moral value of marriage to argue that marriage has no inherent moral significance. Further, the special value accorded marriage sustains amatonormative discrimination - discrimination against non-amorous or non-exclusive caring relationships such as friendships, adult care networks, polyamorous groups, or urban tribes. The discussion raises issues of independent interest for the moral philosopher such as the possibilities and bounds of interpersonal moral obligations and the nature of commitment.
The central argument of Part Two, "Democratizing Marriage," is that liberal reasons for recognizing same-sex marriage also require recognition of groups, polyamorists, polygamists, friends, urban tribes, and adult care networks. Political liberalism requires the disestablishment of monogamous amatonormative marriage. Under the constraints of public reason, a liberal state must refrain from basing law solely on moral or religious doctrines; but only such doctrines could furnish reason for restricting marriage to male-female couples or romantic love dyads. Restrictions on marriage should thus be minimized. But public reason can provide a strong rationale for minimal marriage: care, and social supports for care, are a matter of fundamental justice. Part Two also responds to challenges posed by property division on divorce, polygyny, and supporting parenting, and builds on critiques of marriage drawn from feminism, queer theory, and race theory. It argues, using the example of minimal marriage, for the compatibility of liberalism and feminism.
Details
Are you skeptical about the moral significance of marriage? Look no further than "Minimizing Marriage: Marriage, Morality, and the Law." This thought-provoking book delves into the morally salient features of marriage, unraveling its true essence. In a world where promises are often broken, the essays in Part One of this book challenge the idea of wedding vows as failed promises and explore whether marriage is truly a reliable commitment strategy. Prepare to have your preconceptions shattered as this book argues that marriage holds no inherent moral significance.
But that's not all. "Minimizing Marriage" uncovers a hidden truth – the special value attributed to marriage leads to amatonormative discrimination against non-amorous or non-exclusive caring relationships. Friendships, adult care networks, polyamorous groups, and urban tribes are all victims of this discrimination. Be prepared to confront these issues head-on as this book prompts you to question the nature of commitment and the limits of interpersonal moral obligations.
In Part Two, "Democratizing Marriage," you'll explore the reasons why recognizing same-sex marriage is just the beginning. This book advocates for the recognition of various groups, including polyamorists, polygamists, friends, urban tribes, and adult care networks. Political liberalism demands that monogamous amatonormative marriage be dismantled. It calls for a state that refrains from enforcing laws based solely on moral or religious doctrines that restrict marriage to certain types of couples. This book argues that restrictions on marriage need to be minimized.
Are you concerned about the challenges posed by property division during divorce, polygyny, and supporting parenting? Rest assured, "Minimizing Marriage" tackles these issues head-on and offers compelling solutions. Drawing on feminist, queer theory, and race theory critiques of marriage, this book showcases the compatibility between liberalism and feminism. It presents the concept of minimal marriage as a strong rationale for providing care and social supports as a matter of fundamental justice.
Don't miss out on this eye-opening journey into the moral significance of marriage. "Minimizing Marriage: Marriage, Morality, and the Law" will challenge your beliefs and expand your understanding. Embrace a new perspective and delve into the profound insights this book has to offer. Click here to get your copy now!
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