Local Princeton professor to discuss ‘six legal cases that will drive you nuts’
Princeton professor Larry Rosen will ask thought-provoking questions like, “When is cannibalism ok?” and other moral scenarios in an upcoming discussion in Castine. Photo courtesy of Witherle Memorial Library.
By staff
CASTINE – The Witherle Memorial Library and the Castine Arts Association will sponsor a discussion series titled “One Moral Good v. Another Moral Good: Six Legal Cases That Will Drive You Nuts,’’ beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15 in the library Reading Room.
The six-week series, moderated by Castine resident Larry Rosen, will review six legal cases that highlight the difficulty of deciding between one moral good and another, according to a release from the library.
Topics to be discussed during the series will include: Should an American Indian tribe, whose members are American citizens, be allowed to favor men over women to preserve its traditions and independence? May those starving on a life raft eat one of their own in order to survive? Should a doctor be forced to let a patient die whose religion forbids a life-saving blood transfusion? May a foreigner who euthanized his incurably malformed, pain-ridden child be denied American citizenship because he is guilty of “moral turpitude”? Discussion of the issues involved in each case will inform individual decisions on what is right.
Rosen is the Cromwell Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Princeton University and Adjunct Professor of Law Emeritus at Columbia University. A member of the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court and named to the first group of MacArthur Award recipients, Rosen has taught family law at various universities and is the author of Legitimacy in Crisis and The Rights of Groups. He is a year-round resident of Castine.
No background in law is necessary to participate. A list of suggested reading to help prepare for the discussion is on the library’s website. The discussions will be held in person and on Zoom, but participation is limited and registration is required. To register, email kathryn@witherlelibrary.net or call 326-4375.
