Philosophy of the Family: Ethics, Identity and Responsibility

Almost everyone grows up in a family, and family ties play an important role in daily life. But what exactly is a 'family'? What is a 'family tie'? We use the general concept of 'family' in many contexts – in fiction, in talk shows, in law, in politics – and yet one person's family may be strikingly different from another's.

This introductory guide sets out to examine the multiple meanings of the family and related concepts. It explores the different roles played by these concepts in our at...