Marriage and Morals (Paperback)

~ Bertrand Russell (Author) "IN characterizing a society, whether ancient or modern, there are two elements, rather closely interconnected, which are of prime importance: one is the economic system,..." (more)
Key Phrases: conventional moralists, open sin, sex knowledge, Catholic Church, Havelock Ellis, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The fireworks fly when the great Bertrand Russell writes about a subject as provocative as marriage and morals. But they are a rational and devastatingly logical kind of fireworks . . . for that was the nature of the man. Russell's approach to sex and love is based on the realities of need and desire, rather than on ancient tribal and religious taboos. Marriage and Morals is a clear, unbiased look at morality, a morality that is simply one aspect of Russell's lifelong opposition to restrictive dogma and an affirmation of his unshakeable faith in the adequacy of man and the power of human intellect.

"Sufficient dynamite to blast a carload of ordinary sex popularizers from the face of the earth . . . deals most competently and completely with practically every ramification of sex and sex life and occurs in modern sociology and psychology." —New York Post

"Fundamental and clear, unbiased and persuasive. Russell writes as a humanist, defending the happiness of man against many moral prejudices, advocates his changes lucidly and wittily." —Time

.

About the Author

Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) was born in England and educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. His long career established him as one of the most influential philosophers, mathematicians, and social reformers of the twentieth century.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Liveright; 1st edition (March 17, 1970)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871402114
• ISBN-13: 978-0871402110
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #555,437 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provocative, March 10, 2003

By	Bradley K. Stilwell (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's hard not to cheer when you realize Russell wrote so forward-thinking a piece in the late '20s. Its ideas are still being debated today, especially in light of the recent trend toward opting out of conventional, legally bound marriages in Western countries. As a married man myself, I found Russell's condemnation of conventional sexual morality quite convincing. He doesn't advocate immature hedonism, nor does he pardon all infidelity. He actually favors marriage when children are involved. He simply rocks the foundation of marriage on Christian asceticism ('fornication is sin') and the need for certain paternity. He gives an anthropological & historical perspective on the issue that is broader than anything you're likely to hear in current debates.

My only complaint with this otherwise provocative & well-reasoned work is that some of his commentary borders on anti-Catholic. I'm not Catholic myself, but I couldn't help but wonder whether some of his persistent jabs at the Church weren't motivated by a prejudice common at that time. That isn't to say he doesn't critique Protestant morality as well, but he seems to take inordinate glee in poking the Vatican.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Marriage & Morals, February 5, 2003

By	Daniel (VA) - See all my reviews

I found this book very well-written and full of information about the history of marriage, sexual ethics, and morals. Bertrand, in his usual style, examines the social problems of his time and why they exist. This book was written in 1929, but is still logical and modern in thinking. Bertrand wittily and cynically speaks out against the restrictive dogmas of sex and love: ?It would seem that it is only with the introduction of the patriarchal system that men came to desire virginity in their brides. Where the matrilineal system exists young women sow their wild oats as freely as young men, but this could not be tolerated when it became of great importance to persuade women that all intercourse outside of marriage is wicked.? I strongly recommend this book for anyone doing a research paper on love, marriage, or sexual ethics. If you?re looking for something to make you think, it?s also a great book. I give it four out of five stars.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An old book, but surprisingly still interesting, April 21, 2000

By A Customer

This book was originally published in 1929 so in many ways it is inevitably dated. But in many ways it is still fresh, and despite all the talk about "new morality", the controversies in his day still rage today. (This is the book that got Lord Russell in so much trouble at City College of New York) What is unique about this book that it addresses some of the dilemmas of domestic life. Dilemmas that are real yet apparently other writers don't have the courage to face.

This book deserves to be in the library of every serious thinker.