Author Description
Becoming parents draws us into philosophical quandaries before our children have even been born. Why do most of us want to have children? Should we make new people, despite life's travails and our crowded world? Is adoptive parenthood just the same as biological parenthood? Once children arrive, the questions start to be a mix of the profound and the practical. Should we share our lifestyle with our children, no matter how unusual? Should we vaccinate and may we circumcise? Should we encourage gender differences?Tracing the arc of parenthood from the earliest days to the college years and beyond, Jean Kazez explores 18 questions for philosophical parents, applying the tools of philosophy and drawing on personal experience. The Philosophical Parent offers a novel account of the parent-child relationship and uses it to tackle a variety of parenting puzzles, but more than that, Kazez celebrates both having children and philosophical reflection. Her book provides a challenging but cheerful companion for thoughtful parents and parents-to-be.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the ethical and existential justifications for parenthood and the moral dilemmas inherent in raising children. Jean Kazez, a philosopher and parent, utilizes a framework of analytical philosophy combined with personal narrative to examine the complexities of the parent-child relationship. She argues that philosophical inquiry can provide clarity and structure to the often overwhelming practical and moral decisions parents face throughout the developmental stages of their children.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Philosophical analysis of 18 distinct parenting questions ranging from conception to adulthood.
- Ethical frameworks for evaluating decisions regarding vaccination, circumcision, and gender socialization.
- Comparative analysis of biological versus adoptive parenthood.
- Discussions on the impact of lifestyle choices and environmental concerns on child-rearing.
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide prescriptive medical or psychological advice for specific developmental disorders.
- It does not offer a singular, universal parenting manual but rather a series of philosophical inquiries.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Readers frequently note the accessible yet rigorous nature of the prose, which balances academic inquiry with relatable parental experiences. Experts highlight this as a valuable resource for parents seeking to move beyond conventional advice toward a more reflective and ethically grounded approach to child-rearing.
Page Count:
336
Publication Date:
2017-07-03
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190652608
ISBN-13:
9780190652609
Non-Fiction
Philosophy
Child rearing
Parenting
Family
Ethics
Parent and child