Minimizing Marriage

Marriage, Morality, and the Law

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, Customs & Traditions, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Modern
Cover of the book Minimizing Marriage by Elizabeth Brake, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Elizabeth Brake ISBN: 9780199911974
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: March 16, 2012
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Elizabeth Brake
ISBN: 9780199911974
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: March 16, 2012
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

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.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

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.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book A Better Way to Think About Business by Elizabeth Brake
Cover of the book Females Are Mosaics by Elizabeth Brake
Cover of the book Myanmar's 'Rohingya' Conflict by Elizabeth Brake
Cover of the book A Field Guide to the Tiger Beetles of the United States and Canada by Elizabeth Brake
Cover of the book Ideologies of Colonization: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Elizabeth Brake
Cover of the book The Great War And Modern Memory by Elizabeth Brake
Cover of the book Against the Modern World by Elizabeth Brake
Cover of the book Practical Dementia Care by Elizabeth Brake
Cover of the book A New Introduction to American Constitutionalism by Elizabeth Brake
Cover of the book Contesting the Repressive State by Elizabeth Brake
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of the Economics of Central Banking by Elizabeth Brake
Cover of the book A Time for Peace by Elizabeth Brake
Cover of the book Alfred Hitchcock by Elizabeth Brake
Cover of the book Peruvian Traditions by Elizabeth Brake
Cover of the book The Crisis of Authority in Catholic Modernity by Elizabeth Brake
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy