Description
Most people believe that parents have moral rights and responsibilities regarding their children. These rights and responsibilities undergird the nuclear family and are essential to the flourishing of its members. However, their basis and contents are hotly contested. Do a child's genetic parents have a right to parent her? The importance of genetic ties is affirmed by many people's gut responses, everyday talk, and many court decisions, but the moral justification for tying parenthood rights to genetics is unclear. Parents are routinely permitted to make far-reaching decisions about their children's medical care, education, religious practice, and even how to punish them. When can parental rights be limited by the interests of the child or society? Matters are no more settled when it comes to parental responsibilities. It is commonly thought that if a man conceives a child through voluntary sexual intercourse he acquires parental responsibilities, even if he took every precaution against conception. On the other hand, sperm donors are widelythough not universallythought to have no responsibilities towards their progeny. What is the basis for these disparate judgments? Parents are expected to do a lot for their children as they raise them. But there are surely limits. Sometimes parents have to balance the needs of multiple family members or just want to have time for themselves. What is the extent of their parental responsibilities? In The Moral Foundations of Parenthood, Joseph Millum provides a philosophical account of moral parenthood. He explains how parental rights and responsibilities are acquired, what those rights and responsibilities consist in, and how parents should go about making decisions on behalf of their children. In doing so, he provides a set of frameworks to help solve pressing ethical dilemmas relating to parents and children.
About the Author
Joseph Millum is a bioethicist working at the Clinical Center Department of Bioethics and the Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health. He received his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Toronto. Dr. Millum is co-editor of Global Justice and Bioethics (Oxford 2012) and co-author of Research Ethics Consultation: A Casebook (Oxford 2012).
Reviews
This is an interesting and valuable contribution which will stimulate further debate in the field. * Sabine Hohl, Ethical Theory and Moral Practice *
This book is an excellent example of how philosophy can shed light on extremely difficult and complex issues. Millum weaves together the various pieces of his theory of moral parenthood in a way that can only be described as masterful. The book is written in a style that is accessible and engaging, and will appeal to professionals and students in moral and political philosophy, political science, and sociology. It will be particularly useful as a primary text for a graduate seminar, as it gives an overview of the central concepts, debates, and theories that will leave the reader with a better understanding not only of moral parenthood but of the nature and origin of moral rights and responsibilities more generally. * Liezl van Zyl, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *
I regard The Moral Foundations of Parenthood as a major contribution to the literature on the ethics of parent-child relationships. The arguments are rigorous, bolstered by numerous case studies, and woven together into an impressively unified account of the rights and responsibilities of parents. There is much to grapple with in this thought-provoking book, and no one who writes about the moral philosophy of parenthood can afford to overlook it. * Hastings Report *
a powerful integrated theory of moral parenthood. It is original, distinctive and it is shown to yield plausible answers to the kinds of puzzling cases that have preoccupied philosophers working in this area. Like all good philosophical theories Millum's is also one that will provoke a huge amount of critical debate. * Journal of Applied Philosophy *
This comprehensive, clearly written, and philosophically acute text is required reading for anyone interested in the moral philosophy of parenthood. Millum argues for interesting and original views on the acquisition and content of parental rights and responsibilities. With a lucid discussion of methodology and moral theory, the book is accessible to students or non-specialists; at the same time, it makes a valuable, innovative contribution in an important contemporary debate over the moral basis, and content, of parenthood. * Dr. Elizabeth Brake, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Arizona State University *
In The Moral Foundations of Parenthood, Joseph Millum applies his sharp mind to the basis for parental rights and responsibilities, offering a novel and unified account. His style is clear, his reasoning is rigorous, and the practical applications of his views are illustrated. Unlike proverbial apple pie, his conclusions about motherhood, and more especially fatherhood, will not be uncontroversial. However, even those who do not agree with him will be challenged by his arguments. * David Benatar, University of Cape Town *
Book Information
ISBN 9780190695439
Author Joseph Millum
Format Hardback
Page Count 168
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 368g
Dimensions(mm) 239mm * 163mm * 18mm
About the Author
Joseph Millum is a bioethicist working at the Clinical Center Department of Bioethics and the Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health. He received his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Toronto. Dr. Millum is co-editor of Global Justice and Bioethics (Oxford 2012) and co-author of Research Ethics Consultation: A Casebook (Oxford 2012).
Reviews
This is an interesting and valuable contribution which will stimulate further debate in the field. * Sabine Hohl, Ethical Theory and Moral Practice *
This book is an excellent example of how philosophy can shed light on extremely difficult and complex issues. Millum weaves together the various pieces of his theory of moral parenthood in a way that can only be described as masterful. The book is written in a style that is accessible and engaging, and will appeal to professionals and students in moral and political philosophy, political science, and sociology. It will be particularly useful as a primary text for a graduate seminar, as it gives an overview of the central concepts, debates, and theories that will leave the reader with a better understanding not only of moral parenthood but of the nature and origin of moral rights and responsibilities more generally. * Liezl van Zyl, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *
I regard The Moral Foundations of Parenthood as a major contribution to the literature on the ethics of parent-child relationships. The arguments are rigorous, bolstered by numerous case studies, and woven together into an impressively unified account of the rights and responsibilities of parents. There is much to grapple with in this thought-provoking book, and no one who writes about the moral philosophy of parenthood can afford to overlook it. * Hastings Report *
a powerful integrated theory of moral parenthood. It is original, distinctive and it is shown to yield plausible answers to the kinds of puzzling cases that have preoccupied philosophers working in this area. Like all good philosophical theories Millum's is also one that will provoke a huge amount of critical debate. * Journal of Applied Philosophy *
This comprehensive, clearly written, and philosophically acute text is required reading for anyone interested in the moral philosophy of parenthood. Millum argues for interesting and original views on the acquisition and content of parental rights and responsibilities. With a lucid discussion of methodology and moral theory, the book is accessible to students or non-specialists; at the same time, it makes a valuable, innovative contribution in an important contemporary debate over the moral basis, and content, of parenthood. * Dr. Elizabeth Brake, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Arizona State University *
In The Moral Foundations of Parenthood, Joseph Millum applies his sharp mind to the basis for parental rights and responsibilities, offering a novel and unified account. His style is clear, his reasoning is rigorous, and the practical applications of his views are illustrated. Unlike proverbial apple pie, his conclusions about motherhood, and more especially fatherhood, will not be uncontroversial. However, even those who do not agree with him will be challenged by his arguments. * David Benatar, University of Cape Town *
Book Information
ISBN 9780190695439
Author Joseph Millum
Format Hardback
Page Count 168
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 368g
Dimensions(mm) 239mm * 163mm * 18mm
