What Is Marriage? Man and Woman: A Defense

What Is Marriage? Man and Woman: A Defense presents philosophical and legal arguments for a traditional view of marriage between one man and one woman. The authors establish their definition of marriage through natural law theory and social significance rather than religious doctrine. The book examines competing views about marriage in contemporary discourse, particularly focusing on the debate between "conjugal" and "revisionist" understandings. Through analysis of historical precedent and social policy, the authors outline what they consider key features that distinguish marriage from other relationships. The work engages with opposing viewpoints and addresses common criticisms of traditional marriage views. Specific attention is paid to questions of equality, discrimination, and the state's role in recognizing and regulating marriage. At its core, this academic treatise explores fundamental questions about the nature and purpose of marriage as a social institution. The arguments presented aim to contribute to ongoing legal and philosophical debates about marriage policy in modern society.

Readers note the book presents philosophical and legal arguments for traditional marriage, citing natural law theory and public policy implications. Many conservative readers praise its secular reasoning approach rather than relying on religious arguments. Favorable reviews highlight: - Clear logical structure and academic rigor - Extensive footnotes and citations - Calm tone when addressing opposing views Critical reviews mention: - Arguments feel circular or predetermined - Oversimplifies complex social issues - Lacks engagement with LGBTQ+ perspectives Ratings: Amazon: 4.5/5 (243 reviews) Goodreads: 3.8/5 (156 ratings) Sample reader comments: "Well-researched philosophical case, though unlikely to change minds" - Goodreads reviewer "Too focused on abstract concepts instead of real relationships" - Amazon reviewer "Best secular defense of traditional marriage I've read" - Goodreads reviewer "Academic style makes key points hard to follow" - Amazon reviewer

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🔹 The book grew out of a highly influential 2010 article published in the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy, which became the year's most downloaded paper on the Social Science Research Network 🔹 Co-author Robert P. George is a Princeton University professor who has been called "America's most influential conservative Christian thinker" by The New York Times 🔹 The book's arguments focus on what the authors call the "conjugal view" of marriage, which they distinguish from the "revisionist view," using philosophical reasoning rather than religious or scriptural arguments 🔹 Despite being published in 2012, several of the book's key legal arguments were later cited in Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito's dissenting opinion in the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges case (2015) 🔹 All three authors were under 30 years old when they wrote the original Harvard Journal article, with Sherif Girgis still being a student at Yale Law School at the time