Features November 1993
What is sacred? Ronald Dworkin and his answers
A review of Life’s Dominion by Mr. Dworkin.
According to the publisher's blurb, Life's Dominion,[1] Ronald Dworkin’s defense of abortion and euthanasia, is “lucid, imaginative … and brilliantly original.” In the “advance praise” printed on the dust jacket the president of the American Civil Liberties Union, Nadine Strossen, describes the work as careful, clear, path-breaking, and stunningly insightful, Susan Sontag says it is fresh, agile, and improving, and Joan Didion calls it a miracle. These good opinions, and Dworkin’s international renown—he is the author of three other books, a professor of law at New York University, and University Professor of Jurisprudence at Oxford— will probably ensure a fairly wide readership. All the more important, then, that the book should receive at least one detailed critical assessment as well as the me-too mega-hype to be expected in such cases.
A Message from the Editors
At The New Criterion we will always call things by
their real names.
As a reader of our efforts, you have stood with us on the front lines in the battle for culture. Learn how your support contributes to our continued defense of truth.
