Am I My Parents' Keeper? An Essay on Justice Between the Young and the Old

Abstract

is a fine book. Professor Daniels helps us step back from the noise, polemic, and confusing detail that characterize much of today's debate on the cost, content, and distribution of health services. The title is a bit of a misnomer. is far more than a book for those with an interest in the problems of aging. It concerns the fair allocation of resources to health and human services. As Daniels states, This book is primarily concerned with the just design of social institutions.... It is a philosophical essay, not a detailed analysis of policy options. The arguments brought to bear are just as applicable to the needs of the mentally impaired, disabled young adults, or frail older persons. Daniels develops a powerful rationale for looking at resource allocation from the perspective of fairness across an entire life span rather than as an issue of competition between age cohorts.