Moral Theory

The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) was the first major text by Adam Smith who, seven years later, was to publish what was to become one of the major economic classics, The Wealth of Nations (1776). However, Smith regarded The Theory of Moral Sentiments as his most important work because in it he identified the profound human instinct to act not necessarily in self-interest but through, as he phrased it, a ‘mutual sympathy of sentiments’.

In Thick and Thin: Moral Argument at Home and Abroad, Michael Walzer revises and extends the arguments in his influential Spheres of Justice, framing his ideas about justice, social criticism, and national identity in light of the new political world that has arisen in the past three decades. Walzer focuses on two different but interrelated kinds of moral argument: Maximalist and minimalist, thick and thin, local and universal.

Adam Smith (1723-1790) was a Scottish social philosopher and a pioneer of political economy. One of the key figures of the Scottish Enlightenment, Smith is the author of The Theory of Moral Sentiments and The Wealth of Nations, his magnum opus and the first modern work of economics. It earned him an enormous reputation and would become one of the most influential works on economics ever published. Smith is widely cited as the father of modern economics and capitalism. Smith studied social philosophy at the University of Glasgow and the University of Oxford.

Humanity is racing to create machine intelligence vastly smarter than the human brain. We will succeed. Blending accessible philosophy with the latest in AI developments, Mind Crime: The Moral Frontier of Artificial Intelligence forces listeners to grapple with the moral questions we can no longer afford to ignore. Are we prepared for the consequences of artificial superintelligence? Will humanity's survival be threatened, perhaps within years? Is digital consciousness possible? Are we sleepwalking into horrific moral catastrophe?

In this classic work, Alasdair MacIntyre examines the historical and conceptual roots of the idea of virtue, diagnoses the reasons for its absence in personal and public life, and offers a tentative proposal for its recovery. While the individual chapters are wide-ranging, once pieced together, they comprise a penetrating and focused argument about the price of modernity.

This edition features a custom introduction offering biographical insight into Adam Smith’s life and the historical context that shaped his revolutionary ideas. From his early years in Scotland to his mentorship under moral philosopher Francis Hutchinson, uncover the journey that culminated in two of history’s most influential works.

L. Michael Morales examines the key elements of three major redemption movements in Scripture: the exodus out of Egypt, the second exodus foretold by the prophets, and the new exodus accomplished by Jesus Christ. We discover how the blood of a Passover lamb helps us grasp the significance of Jesus' death on the cross, how the Lord's defeat of Pharaoh foreshadowed Jesus' victory over Satan, how Israel's exodus out of Egypt unfolds the meaning of the resurrection, and much more.

In Thomas Ligotti's first nonfiction outing, an examination of the meaning (or meaninglessness) of life through an insightful, unsparing argument that proves the greatest horrors are not the products of our imagination but instead are found in reality. "There is a signature motif discernible in...

This book provides a complete overview of the American Founders' political theory, covering natural rights, natural law, state of nature, social compact, consent, and the policy implications of these ideas. The book is intended as a response to the current scholarly consensus, which holds that the Founders' political thought is best understood as an amalgam of liberalism, republicanism, and perhaps other traditions. 

Pioneers of Human Behaviour: Lawrence Kohlberg A Gateway to His Life, Theories, and Legacy Lawrence Kohlberg changed how we understand right and wrong. By mapping how moral reasoning evolves from obedience and self-interest to universal principles of justice, he offered a clear, compelling lens on why people make the choices they do—and how societies can grow more just. This concise yet powerful volume distils Kohlberg’s life, six-stage theory, and legacy into clear, engaging chapters. From formative experiences after the Second World War to classroom experiments in “just community”...

In Systems of Survival, Jane Jacobs identifies two distinct moral syndromes—one governing commerce, the other politics—and explores what happens when these two syndromes collide. She looks at business fraud and criminal enterprise, government’s overextended subsidies to agriculture, and transit police who abuse the system the are supposed to enforce, and asks us to consider instances in which snobbery is a virtue and industry a vice.

What drives our decisions, shapes our lives, and gives meaning to the everyday? In Axiology for Beginners: Discovering What Matters and Why, you’ll dive into the powerful realm of values—the invisible forces that define who we are, what we believe, and where we’re going. This book isn’t just about understanding the concept of values; it’s a journey to uncover the true motivations behind our choices, beliefs, and actions. Ready to see the world with fresh eyes? Here’s what Axiology for Beginners offers: Clarity in a Complex World: With clear language and practical examples, this ...

The purpose of this book is twofold: first, to elucidate the logic, principles, and significance of the Declaration of Independence as the embodiment of the American mind; and, second, to shed light on what John Adams once called the "real American Revolution"; that is, the moral revolution that occurred in the minds of the people in the 15 years before 1776.

The Left has seized on our economic troubles as an excuse to “blame the rich guy” and paint a picture of capitalism and the free market as selfish, greedy, and cruel. Exactly the opposite is true, says Father Robert Sirico in his thought-provoking book Defending the Free Market: The Moral Case for a Free Economy. Father Sirico argues that a free economy actually promotes charity, selflessness, and kindness. In Defending the Free Market, he shows why free-market capitalism is not only the best way to ensure individual success and national prosperity but also the surest route to a moral and socially just society.

The Origins of Moral Understanding Explained: Jean Piaget’s Theory of Moral Development, Heteronomous and Autonomous Morality, Justice, Rules, Cooperation, and the Growth of Fairness What does it really mean for a child to understand fairness? How do children move from blind rule following to thoughtful moral reasoning grounded in justice and cooperation? In The Origins of Moral Understanding Explained, The Practical Atlas offers a deep and accessible exploration of Jean Piaget’s groundbreaking theory of moral development. This book examines how children construct their understanding of...

Philosophy Explained for Non-Philosophers: Clear Guides to the Ideas That Shape Human Thought Utilitarianism Explained for Non-Philosophers: Happiness, Consequences, and the Moral Calculus of Modern Life is a clear, engaging introduction to one of the most influential moral philosophies in the modern world. Written for readers with no background in philosophy, this book breaks down complex ideas into accessible explanations that focus on real human concerns: happiness, suffering, fairness, and the impact of our choices. Rather than relying on abstract jargon or academic debate, it shows how...

Deontology for Beginners: An Introduction to Moral Responsibility offers a bold answer to one of life’s oldest questions: What does it mean to do the right thing, no matter the consequences? This isn’t just a book; it’s an invitation to explore a moral framework that values duty, integrity, and principle. And it’s crafted with you, the curious reader, in mind. Dive into the principles of duty-based ethics, the foundation of a timeless approach to morality that asks us to act not for rewards, but because it’s simply the right thing to do. In an age that prizes results, this book ...

In Do Morals Matter?, Joseph S. Nye, Jr., one of the world's leading scholars of international relations, provides a concise yet penetrating analysis of the role of ethics in US foreign policy during the American era after 1945. Nye works through each presidency from FDR to Trump and scores their foreign policy on three ethical dimensions of their intentions, the means they used, and the consequences of their decisions. Alongside this, he also evaluates their leadership qualities, elaborating on which approaches work and which ones do not.

Pioneers of Human Behaviour: Carol Gilligan A Gateway to Her Life, Theories, and Legacy Explore the life and groundbreaking work of Carol Gilligan, one of psychology’s most influential thinkers and a pioneering voice in feminist psychology. This concise, accessible volume offers a rich journey into Gilligan’s revolutionary ideas about ethics, voice, and the human experience—challenging established narratives and reshaping how we understand gender, morality, and identity. From her formative years and academic breakthroughs to the development of her seminal theories on moral development...

A stirring defense of liberalism against the dogmatisms of our time from an award-winning and New York Times bestselling author. Not since the early twentieth century has liberalism, and liberals, been under such relentless attack, from both right and left. The crisis of democracy in our era has...