The Philosophy of Marriage

Marriage is an evolving concept: legislation to allow same-sex marriage in England and Wales was only passed in the United Kingdom 2013 and took effect in 2014. It’s evolving nature prompts some important questions: what is the point of marriage? Is marriage as an economic contract compatible with the instability of a romantic relationship? How long will marriage as an institution survive?

In answering these questions, this episode of OxPods will look into the role of marriage in society, the nature of love and commitment, and the ethical and political implications of marriage as one of the most fundamental human relationships. Sophia Herbert, a PPE student at New College, will be interviewing Dr Scot Peterson, author of 'Legally Married: Love and Law in the UK and the US', a Politics Lecturer at Corpus Christi College, who's research on the constitutional history of the UK and US has focused particularly on matters arising from the relationship between the church and state.