Clare Chambers, University Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, University of Cambridge

Clare Chambers is University Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Cambridge. She works on contemporary political philosophy, with particular focus on feminism, liberalism, and theories of social construction. She is the author of numerous chapters and articles on topics such as autonomy, choice, and consent; the body, appearance norms, and cosmetic surgery; multiculturalism, religion, and social practices; and equality and theories of justice. She is also the author of two previous books: Sex, Culture, and Justice: The Limits of Choice (Penn State University Press, 2008) and, with Phil Parvin, Teach Yourself Political Philosophy: A Complete Introduction (Hodder, 2012).

Winner of the 2018 APSA David Easton Award

"The book is interesting and accessible, and at the cutting edge of scholarly work about alternatives to marriage." - Adrian Thatcher, Marriage, Families & Spirituality

"This book is an important and distinctive addition to the burgeoning literature on liberalism and state-sponsored marriage ... this is a creative and thought-provoking book" - Eric Cave, Australasian Journal of Philosophy

"Chambers's Against Marriage is an extremely important work that will surely spark debate and further discussion on this topic." - Christie Hartley, Hypatia Reviews

"Clare Chambers' Against Marriage: An Egalitarian Defence of the Marriage-Free State ... exhibit[s] logical rigor, clarity of structure, lucidity of thought, and crisp prose. ... Clare Chambers breathes new life into radical feminist critiques of marriage and classical liberal critiques of states that give their imprimatur to specific notions of the good life in order to argue that state-recognized marriage is fundamentally unjust. ... Her book demonstrates how the strengths of analytical political philosophy can be powerfully mobilized as a resource for motivating political change." - Comments from the David Easton Prize Committee

"Chambers' Against Marriage is a wonderful addition to a growing literature demanding that we think seriously about the institution of marriage and how it may have to be altered to meet the demands of justice and equity her articulate and thoughtful arguments have made me think more seriously about many issues involving marriage." - Robert Scott Stewart, Metapsychology Online Reviews

"I found Chambers persuasive: Against Marriage compelled me to rethink some of my ideas on the subject and brought much greater precision to others. And even those who disagree with much more of it will have to engage with it, as an integrated and reasonably comprehensive analysis of how the state should approach marriage." - Danny Yee, Danny Yee Reviews

"I highly recommend Chambers' book as an important scholarly and pedagogical resource. It is beautifully crafted and makes an important contribution to the literature in liberal political theory and, more specifically, to the philosophical literature on marriage and family. ...It was my distinct pleasure to read this book and be provoked by its arguments into a better understanding of both liberalism's promise and its limitations with regard to its support of diverse forms of relationship." - Shelley M. Park,Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

"Clare Chambers puts together a well thought out rejection of state recognized marriage based on the notion that such marriages are gendered and heterosexual in nature while undermining liberty and equality. ... The book is interesting and thought-provoking and Chambers is able to explain why she believes that a marriage-free state is needed." - Hennie Weiss, Metapsychology Online Reviews