I'm feeling an odd sense of detatched squee of anticipation for a book I didn't even know existed

[capri0mni]

So. I didn't even know Frontiers of Justice: Disability, Nationality, Species Membership even existed five hours ago, and now, I'm kind of feeling squeeful and anticipatory about it, even though it looks to be one of those Serious Academic Books.

The reason I'm so looking forward to reading it? This quote of a review on its Amazon page:

Prevailing ethical theories neglect three important subjects: the treatment of persons with disabilities, the scope of justice beyond the nation state, and duties owed to non-human animals. Martha Nussbaum's landmark book offers a courageous and bold approach to these issues based on fellowship and respect. Honest about where it builds on past theories and where it departs from them, Frontiers of Justice boldly and elegantly charts the territory for much needed theoretical and policy debates.
--Martha Minow, Harvard Law School

I'm an old English Major, not a philosophy or political science major, so I don't know, what, exactly, the "Prevailing ethical theories" are. But still, I've felt sort of oddly left out, in a way I can't put my finger on, in discussions of human rights and social obligations.

This here review gives me a clue that maybe that sense I've had nearly all my life, of being invisible in terms of social justice hasn't been "all in my head," after all.

So yes. I'm looking forward to reading this. Maybe it will give me better words to describe my feelings than the ones I've used in this post.

Comments

[spiralsheep.livejournal.com]

A "rights and responsibilities" model would work very well in a communist society comprised entirely of uninjured clones of the same age, but in our societies it does tend to further exclude anyone who is already socially excluded in some way.

I hope you enjoy your foray into ethical philosophy.

[capriuni.livejournal.com]

I hope you enjoy your foray into ethical philosophy.

Yes, so do I. I'd like to think, being the daughter of a social activist, that I've ventured just a bit into those jungles. But I never did learn the theorists' language, or the names of various schools of thought, or the leaders of those schools.

I think it's quite telling that just seeing the word "Disability" in the title of a book meant for "everybody"* is a pleasant surprise.

Sometimes, I worry that I've too deeply interalized society's judgement (despite my parents' best efforts) that I am a permanant "Other," to climb out of that hole to even ground before I die. But language is a powerful tool. Maybe this book can give me the means to build myself a rope ladder.

*As opposed to one targeted especially to the disabled and their "caregivers."