
Social and Political Philosophy
A Contemporary Introduction
John Christman(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
3rd Edition
Will be published approx. on 23. July 2026
392 pages
978-1-040-58635-8 (ISBN)
System requirements
for PDF without DRM
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Description
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This accessible book is invaluable to anyone coming to social and political philosophy for the first time. It provides a broad survey of key social and political questions in modern society, as well as clear discussions of the philosophical issues central to those questions and to political thought more generally. Unique among books of this kind, it includes a sustained treatment specifically of social philosophy, including coverage of topics like race and racism, gender, marriage, and the effects of social media on politics and community life. The relation between such social questions and specifically political topics is discussed. These topics include: political authority, economic justice, the limits of tolerance, considerations of community, race, gender, and culture in questions of justice, and radical critiques of current political theories.
Key updates to the third edition include a more sustained discussion of nationalism, technology and social media, and the tradition of critical theory. In addition, there is an entirely new chapter on environmental justice.
Key Features:
Considers social philosophy as a specific topic, opening up coverage beyond state-centered policy issues to include questions like sexism, pornography and racism
Includes a "Case to Consider" in each chapter, spurring discussion of current topics in the classroom and encouraging further reflection by the reader
A new chapter on climate justice addresses environmental injustices while exploring questions of moral value concerning animal rights and sentiocentrism
Key updates to the third edition include a more sustained discussion of nationalism, technology and social media, and the tradition of critical theory. In addition, there is an entirely new chapter on environmental justice.
Key Features:
Considers social philosophy as a specific topic, opening up coverage beyond state-centered policy issues to include questions like sexism, pornography and racism
Includes a "Case to Consider" in each chapter, spurring discussion of current topics in the classroom and encouraging further reflection by the reader
A new chapter on climate justice addresses environmental injustices while exploring questions of moral value concerning animal rights and sentiocentrism
Reviews / Votes
Praise for the Second Edition:"Christman's Social and Political Philosophy is without any doubt the most comprehensive and knowledgeable introduction we have at present. It is not only a thoughtful overview over all important philosophical traditions (not only the Anglo-American ones) but also all essential problems - from issues in marriage, gender or race to normative problems in human rights, global justice or immigration. It is unique in its close look at the complex links between the social issues and their role in different political conceptions. Christman helps us all to better understand social and political philosophy, and thereby to better understand contemporary societies and our place within them." --Beate Roessler, University of Amsterdam
More details
Series
Edition
3rd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
1 Tables, black and white
File size
28,44 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-040-58635-8 (9781040586358)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
approx. 07/2026
3rd Edition
Routledge
€191.50
Not yet published

Book
approx. 07/2026
3rd Edition
Routledge
€52.50
Not yet published
Person
John Christman is Professor of Philosophy, Political Science and Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Penn State University. He has produced several books and edited volumes in social and political philosophy. These include The Myth of Property: Toward an Egalitarian Theory of Ownership (Oxford University Press, 1994), The Politics of Persons: Individual Autonomy and Socio-historical Selves (Cambridge University Press, 2010), and Reconceiving Freedom from the Shadows of Slavery: Liberty in a Non-Ideal World (Cambridge University Press, 2025).
Content
Preface and Acknowledgments 1. Introduction 2. Social Philosophy and the Road to the Political Part I: Basic Issues within the Liberal Paradigm 3. The Problem of Political Authority 4. Distributive Justice 5. Toleration, Pluralism, and the Foundations of Liberalism Part II: Critique of the Liberal Paradigm: Challenges and Departures 6. Conservatism, Communitarianism, and Nationalism 7. Race and the Politics of Identity 8. Feminism, Gender, and Sexuality 9. Radical Critique: Marxism and Post-Modernism 10. Beyond the Nation State: Issues in Trans-National Justice 11. Beyond the Human: Environmental Issues and Climate Justice Epilogue: The Hope of Liberalism? Bibliography Index
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