Moral Theory

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.

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’.

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.

The foundations of capitalism, explained by the man who defined it. This edition features a custom introduction offering clear biographical insight into Adam Smith’s life and the ideas that shaped the modern world.

In a historically unprecedented collaboration, leading futurist and bestselling author Jamie Metzl partners with the AI system GPT-5 to demonstrate a breathtaking possibility: that advanced artificial intelligence, guided by human ethics and wisdom, can help shape a more humane future. At a moment of rapid AI disruption, growing concern about AI governance, and deep uncertainty about the future of technology, this groundbreaking work reveals how we can partner with advanced AI to foster peace, understanding, and responsible decision-making-if we are ready to listen.

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...

In Moral Boundaries Joan C. Tronto provides one of the most original responses to the controversial questions surrounding women and caring. Tronto demonstrates that feminist thinkers have failed to realize the political context which has shaped their debates about care. It is her belief that...

In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was marketed as a global Magna Carta—a secular shield forged in the wake of the Holocaust to protect the individual from the predator state. Today, it remains the most translated document in existence. Yet, three generations later, Bernd Riemann argues that this foundational text is not a failed promise, but a masterfully designed procedural mirage. In this provocative and data-driven deconstruction, Riemann performs a surgical audit of all thirty articles of the declaration, comparing the utopian rhetoric of the post-war era with ...

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”...

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...

One of the most salient features of our culture is that there is so much bulls**t. Everyone knows this. Each of us contributes his share. But we tend to take the situation for granted. Most people are rather confident of their ability to recognize bulls**t and to avoid being taken in by it. So the phenomenon has not aroused much deliberate concern. We have no clear understanding of what bulls**t is, why there is so much of it, or what functions it serves.

Justice, Power, and Society: Exploring the Foundations of Moral and Political Theory is a clear and engaging guide to the ideas that have shaped human thought for centuries. From Plato’s vision of the just republic to Aristotle’s ethics of civic virtue, from social contract theory to Enlightenment ideals of liberty and rights, from utilitarianism to Marxist critiques of inequality, this book explores how great thinkers have answered the timeless questions: What is justice? Why should we obey laws? How can power be made legitimate? Moving beyond the classics, this book also examines the ...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...