Jean Kazez - The philosophical parent _ asking the hard questions about having and raising children
The Philosophical Parent: Asking the Hard Questions About Having and Raising Children by [Jean Kazez]
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The Philosophical Parent: Asking the Hard Questions About Having and Raising Children Kindle Edition
by Jean Kazez (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
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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.
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Print length
334 pages
Language
English
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Publication date
1 June 2017
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Review
It is written with beautiful clarity and precision and an enviable command of quite complex material. I know of no other summary of the non-identity problem that is so perspicuous and - importantly - sufficient to persuade those sceptical of the other-worldly character of some modern philosophy that this problem matters. This is a text free of intrusive footnotes and elaborate reconstructions of theories and arguments. The annotated bibliography at the back provides evidence enough of the considerable background reading that informs Kazez's writing. And the writing is charmingly engaging - who can resist a phrase such as 'cosmic orphanage' as an allusive description of that set of possible persons yet to be brought into existence and reared? Kazez is evidently a thoughtful, conscientious parent who has worried - but not obsessively - about what parenthood requires of her, and her broadly liberal sympathies are on display throughout. ― Journal of Applied Philosophy
This wonderfully thoughtful book amply demonstrates that philosophy has a great deal to teach about what it means to parent and how to do that well and that parents often need to be philosophers themselves. ... Kazez gently and with exceptional erudition takes readers by the hand and examines a series of often extraordinary questions associated with one of the most routine human activities - having and raising children. ... Essential. ― R. R. Cornelius, CHOICE
Philosophy professor [Jean] Kazez uses a mix of philosophical proofs and science to explore a mix of theoretical and practical parenting questions ... Soon-to-be-parents will find thinking through her arguments a good way to engage their minds beyond the immediate practicalities of child-rearing ― Publishers Weekly
In The Philosophical Parent, Jean Kazez tackles many of the philosophical puzzles surrounding parenthood, including the question of whether we should bring further children into this world, what our rights and duties are as parents and why we might want to become parents in the first place. Engagingly and accessibly written, parents especially but also non-parents pondering whether or not to have children and people with a general interest in philosophical questions will find new insights in every chapter of this terrific and important contribution to the philosophy of parenting. ― Berit Brogaard, Professor of Philosophy, University of Miami
[The Philosophical Parent] is a diverse, rich, funny, tragic, as well as analytical adventure in one of life's most challenging journeys. Kazez tackles ancient as well as contemporary questions by resting much on her use of the child as second self. ― Metapsychology Reviews Online --This text refers to the hardcover edition.
Review
"It is written with beautiful clarity and precision and an enviable command of quite complex material. I know of no other summary of the non-identity problem that is so perspicuous and - importantly - sufficient to persuade those sceptical of the other-worldly character of some modern philosophy that this problem matters. This is a text free of intrusive footnotes and elaborate reconstructions of theories and arguments. The annotated bibliography at the back provides evidence enough of the considerable background reading that informs Kazez's writing. And the writing is charmingly engaging - who can resist a phrase such as 'cosmic orphanage' as an allusive description of that set of possible persons yet to be brought into existence and reared? Kazez is evidently a thoughtful, conscientious parent who has worried - but not obsessively - about what parenthood requires of her, and her broadly liberal sympathies are on display throughout." --Journal of Applied Philosophy "This wonderfully thoughtful book amply demonstrates that philosophy has a great deal to teach about what it means to parent and how to do that well and that parents often need to be philosophers themselves. ... Kazez gently and with exceptional erudition takes readers by the hand and examines a series of often extraordinary questions associated with one of the most routine human activities - having and raising children. ... Essential." -- R. R. Cornelius, CHOICE "With generosity of spirit and sharpness of mind, Kazez has given us the most thoughtful gift any parent or would-be parent could receive. Such a philosophical examination of parenthood is long overdue but well worth the wait." -- Julian Baggini, author of several books including Freedom Regained: The Possibility of Free Will and The Ego Trick: What Does it Mean to be You? (Granta Books) "Jean Kazez is right. Having children leads to questions--a lot of them. Questions about ethics, the meaning of life, and what matters in family life are philosophical questions. Whether or not you agree with her views, this book will help you to think more about being a parent, and it will help you to be a more thoughtful parent. And this can make you a better parent, which is something that is definitely worth pursuing." -- Michael W. Austin, Professor and Chair, Department of Philosophy & Religion, Eastern Kentucky University "In The Philosophical Parent, Jean Kazez tackles many of the philosophical puzzles surrounding parenthood, including the question of whether we should bring further children into this world, what our rights and duties are as parents and why we might want to become parents in the first place. Engagingly and accessibly written, parents especially but also non-parents pondering whether or not to have children and people with a general interest in philosophical questions will find new insights in every chapter of this terrific and important contribution to the philosophy of parenting." -- Berit Brogaard, Professor of Philosophy, University of Miami "The Philosophical Parent is a spirited and engaging examination of key philosophical challenges related to having and raising children. Author Jean Kazez provides a deeply serious introduction to procreative and parenting ethics, yet also conveys the sheer delight of philosophizing about topics that are at the heart of human life. Accessibly and clearly written, the book illuminates the many difficult ethical questions that arise for parents, would-be parents, and their children, and encourages readers to develop the skills to resolve them." -- Christine Overall, Professor Emerita of Philosophy, Queen's University at Kingston; author of Why Have Children? The Ethical Debate "...is a diverse, rich, funny, tragic, as well as analytical adventure in one of life's most challenging journeys. Kazez tackles ancient as well as contemporary questions by resting much on her use of the child as second self." -- Metapsychology Reviews Online --This text refers to the hardcover edition.
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Product details
ASIN : B071J458XF
Publisher : Oxford University Press; 1st edition (1 June 2017)
Customer Reviews: 5.0 out of 5 stars 4 ratings
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Jean Kazez
Jean Kazez teaches philosophy at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She is the author of three books as well as an editor and writer for The Philosophers' Magazine. Her favorite sort of philosophy problem is a puzzle that forces you to think very hard, but that comes up in everyday life. Her books are full of such puzzles. For more information visit http://kazez.blogspot.com.
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KCE
5.0 out of 5 stars Jean Kazez addresses this concern and many more in her excellent introduction to philosophical/ethical issues facing prospective and current parents
Reviewed in the United States on 4 August 2017
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Just yesterday, a breakthrough in genetic engineering was announced. As discussed in the Washington Post, scientists were able to edit genes in human embryos, with the aim of preventing inherited disease. A number of ethical issues are raised with this advancing technology. For example, it could be that with further advancements in genetic engineering, parents could one day choose all of the traits of their potential children. If this technology becomes available, should parents take advantage of it?
Jean Kazez addresses this concern and many more in her excellent introduction to philosophical/ethical issues facing prospective and current parents. Most notably, I found her discussion of the relationship children have to their parents as "a sort of other self" -- a "second self" -- to be illuminating. Her book is very accessible and does not require philosophical training in order to comprehend, however philosophers will also benefit from her careful analysis of many different issues facing parents. As a non-parent, I found much to ponder in this book; as a result, one need not be a prospective or current parent in order to benefit from reading this book.
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