The future of the disabled in liberal society : an ethical analysis /

Reinders (ethics and mental disability, Free Univ., Amsterdam) refers in his preface to the influence on his thought of colleagues at Georgetown University and the University of Notre Dame. His central question--should we prevent disabled lives?--narrows to focus on the ethical value of the lives of mentally disabled persons. After analyzing the basic ethical assumptions of secular liberal society in our time, which he sees as exemplified in the frameworks offered by John Rawls and Tristram Engelhardt, Reinders asserts that "liberal society" rules out of ethical discussion any theory of the good more specific than respect for the needs and purposes of free and equal persons--thus excluding from public, secular discussion any ethical foundation for respect for mentally disabled persons. He then establishes, by sensitive reflection on experience and on some literary sources, the necessity of commitment to dependent others, such as all humans at the beginning of life. In this concluding section Reinders draws on ethical themes from Alasdair McIntyre and Stanley Hauerwas, so that the book as a whole will offer to advanced undergraduates an engaging and challenging introduction to some of the most influential ethical thinkers of our time. Very highly recommended for college libraries for students and faculty. Useful index, notes, and bibliography. H. J. John emerita, Trinity College (DC)