An argument for marriage

In a recent article in this journal, Dan Moller presents two important arguments against marriage.1 One examines several ways in which the marriage promise can be explained, and shows that none of them is viable.2 The other argues that marriage may not be a worthwhile enterprise since marriages frequently fail, in that they become loveless or end in divorce (79, 80---81).3 I will argue here that there is another way, which Moller does not consider, of explaining the marriage promise that would render it viable; and that notwithstanding the failure of many marriages, this enterprise can still be worthwhile. © 2004, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.