A. C. Grayling

The History of Philosophy by A. C. Grayling is an ambitious and comprehensive exploration of the evolution of philosophical thought across different cultures and epochs. The book invites readers on an intellectual journey beginning with the early worldviews and moral teachings that emerged before the age of the Buddha, Confucius, and Socrates. Grayling meticulously guides us through the transformative periods...

From the eminent philosopher, an answer to the big question: how should I live my life? How should I live my life? What values shall I live by? What sort of person should I be? What shall I aim for? In this summation of a lifetime thinking and writing about these great questions, A. C. Grayling explores with clarity and...

From the bestselling philosopher, a gripping history of science, thought, life on earth and the human mind - and what we might know in the future. In very recent times, humanity has learnt a vast amount about the universe, the past, and itself. But through our remarkable successes in acquiring knowledge, we have learned how much we have yet to...

Around the world the foundations of democracy, freedom, civil liberties are being eroded – what can be done? Are we living through the end of the democratic moment? While democracy once seemed the bedrock of Western societies, the past few decades have revealed a fragile reality. Once liberal countries are turning to authoritarianism, wealthy individuals and corporations are interfering with...

Silicon for microchips; manganese for batteries; titanium for missiles. The moon contains a wealth of natural resources. So, as the Earth’s supplies have begun to dwindle, it is no surprise that the world’s superpowers and wealthiest corporations have turned their eyes to the stars. As this new Space Race begins, A.C. Grayling asks: who, if anyone, owns the moon? Or...

In an era of instability, how do we build a better future?We live in a time of unprecedented technological change and uncertainty, from AI to transhumanism. Humankind is faced with the question of what the future will be like and – more burningly – should be like. We confront increasing dangers from geopolitical instability, war and the climate crisis that...

As the world's superpowers and corporations jostle for control in space, A. C. Grayling asks: who really owns our planet? Grayling brings satisfying order to daunting subjects. – Steven Pinker Silicon for microchips; manganese for batteries; titanium for missiles. The moon contains a wealth of natural resources. So, as the Earth’s supplies have begun to dwindle, it is no surprise...

War by A. C. Grayling is a renowned philosopher's challenge to long-held views on just wars, ethical conduct during war, the reasons wars occur, how they alter people and societies, and more. For residents of the twenty-first century, a vision of a future without warfare is almost inconceivable. Though wars are terrible and destructive, they also seem unavoidable. In this...

An entertaining and provocative investigation of friendship in all its variety, from ancient times to the present day A central bond, a cherished value, a unique relationship, a profound human need, a type of love. What is the nature of friendship, and what is its significance in our lives? How has friendship changed since the ancient Greeks began to analyse...

Can we human beings agree on a set of values which will allow us to confront the numerous threats that we and our planet face? Or will we continue our disagreements, rivalries and antipathies, even as we collectively approach what, in the not impossible extreme, might be extinction? To answer these questions, A. C. Grayling considers the three most pressing...

The foundations upon which our democracies stand are inherently flawed, vulnerable to corrosion from within. What is the remedy? A. C. Grayling makes the case for a clear, consistent, principled and written constitution, and sets out the reforms necessary – among them addressing the imbalance of power between government and Parliament, imposing fixed terms for MPs, introducing proportional representation, and...

The foundations upon which our democracies stand are inherently flawed, vulnerable to corrosion from within. What is the remedy? A. C. Grayling makes the case for a clear, consistent, principled and written constitution, and sets out the reforms necessary – among them addressing the imbalance of power between government and Parliament, imposing fixed terms for MPs, introducing proportional representation and...

The three biggest challenges facing the world today, in A. C. Grayling’s view, are climate change, technology, and justice. In his timely new book, For the Good of the World, he asks: can human beings agree on a set of values that will allow us to confront the numerous threats facing the planet, or will we simply continue with our...

Prompted by events in recent years in the UK and the USA, in Latin America, Russia and the Middle East, A. C. Grayling investigates why the institutions of representative democracy seem unable to sustain themselves against forces they were designed to manage, and why it matters. In each of five short chapters, he considers a moment in history in which...

It seems like we can’t talk about anything nowadays… Whether it’s war or something utterly inconsequential, the internet is primed for furore. And the results can be horrifying – from online pile-ons and doxing to job loss and, in some cases, death. But how did we end up here? Nuanced and historically grounded, A. C. Grayling searches for middle ground...