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The chapter focuses on the public debate over abortion. The debate shaped a renewal of the classic liberal effort to distinguish a principle in human activities that are subject to public coercion. Since the publication of Ronald Dworkin's book Liberalism and Bruce Ackerman's book Social Justice in the Liberal State, philosophers' attention has focused on what has come to be called neutrality of procedure as a way to settle the debate. Neutrality of procedure consists in a special restraint on reasons that can be invoked to justify public policy.

The section presents the list of contributors for the January 2002 issue of Philosophical Dimensions of Public Policy."

The chapter discusses the evolution of practical philosophy. During mid-20th century, many philosophers regarded practical philosophy as moribund. The publication of John Rawls' book Theory of Justice and the founding of the journal Philosophy & Public Affairs marked the formal emergence of a revived practical philosophy. The founding of the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy contributed to the revival of practical philosophy. The institute conceives its contribution to practical philosophy as public philosophy.

Reprints the article "Value Pluralism and Political Liberalism," by William A. Galston, which appeared in the June 1996 issue of the "Report From the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy." History of the debate over the relation between value pluralism and political liberalism; Argument that has implications for the understanding of the role of deep pluralism within liberal societies; Discussion on the moral philosophy of pluralism.

This section introduces a series of articles on the abortion dilemma in the early 21st century. The abortion dilemma has changed after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the case Webster versus Reproductive Health Services in 1989. The case challenged a Missouri law which later upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, a move which resulted to the regulation of abortion. There are two U.S. Supreme Court cases that have shaped the debate since 1990. Among many other issues in the abortion dilemma, future debate will concern the constitutionality of states banning specific procedures.

The section presents the lists of editors for the January 2002 issue of the "Philosophical Dimensions of Public Policy."

This section introduces a series of articles on affirmative action debate. Robert K. Fullinwider takes up the argument that diversity justifies affirmative action policies in the university. David Wasserman addresses some objections to the pursuit of institutional diversity.