Description
Book SynopsisEven 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 th
Trade ReviewThis is an important book, a meticulous, thorough, and innovative work of moral and political philosophy applied to a pressing contemporary dilemma. ... It is one of the most rigorous, comprehensive, and compelling political liberal treatments of the marriage question out there if not the best. * Tamara Metz, Social Theory and Practice *
provides fresh insight into a controversial topic and makes bold but thoughtful proposals that deserve consideration. * Natasha McKeever, Res Publica *
Brake's clearly argued thesis is a powerful alternative to more standard feminist views that would eliminate marriage as an institution. The author makes a very important contribution to all aspects of the current marriage debates. Highly recommended * CHOICE *
This a terrific book for anyone interested in "what happens next" in the field of marriage law. It is provocative, clear in its argument, well-grounded philosophically, and engages a wide range of recent books and articles on marriage. It aims at being controversial, and it succeeds. ... Brake sharpens understanding of the issues and possible paths forward in the ongoing debates about marriage and family law. * Mary L Shanley, TPM *
This is an engaging, stimulating and provoking work of political and ethical philosophy that approaches its central issue from a number of angles. * Ruth Abbey, Philosophy in Review *
Table of ContentsIntroduction: Marriage and Philosophy ; Part One. De-Moralizing Marriage ; 1. The Marriage Promise: Is Divorce Promise-Breaking? ; 2. How to Commit Marriage: A Conceptual Guide ; 3. Marriage, Sex, and Morals ; 4. Special Treatment for Lovers: Marriage, Care, and Amatonormativity ; Part Two: Democratizing Marriage ; 5. Critiques of Marriage: An Essentially Unjust Institution? ; 6. Defining Marriage: Political Liberalism and the Same-Sex Marriage Debates ; 7. Minimizing Marriage: What Political Liberalism Implies for Marriage Law ; 8. Challenges for Minimal Marriage: Poverty, Property, Polygyny
