The Family: A Liberal Defence [Hardcover]

An account of the nature and value of the family within a liberal society. It defines 'family', and assesses the right to have a family, whether the family promotes injustice, and what future there is for the family in the face of significant changes.Preface Introduction The Nature of the Family The Right to a Family The Constitution of the Family The Ideal of the Family and the Ideal Family Just Families The Future of the Family Concluding Thoughts Bibliography Index

'In this crisp volume, drawing on almost two decades of work on the subject, David Archard offers a compelling qualified liberal defence of the family. A response to philosophical and practical challenges to the family, this work expands a tradition with roots in John Locke, John Stuart Mill, John Rawls and Susan Moller Okin and engages the range of contemporary English-language liberal political philosophy, the family, and current policy debates the book could well serve as the standard elaboration of a popular, if somehwat narrow, perspective.' - Tamara Metz, Reed College, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

'One (among the many) merits...is that it brings into light the numerous, and sometimes unexpected, implications of a liberal approach to the family.' - Metapsychology

DAVID ARCHARD is Professor of Philosophy and Public Policy at the University of Lancaster, UK. He has published widely in applied ethics, political and legal philosophy. He is a member of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, and Honorary Chair of the Society for Applied Philosophy.