These eclectic essays cover political, ethical, cultural, and philosophical topics that re-affirm the distinctive character of Western intellectual and cultural history, at a time when that character is, arguably, not sufficiently appreciated.

A progressive secular society is one committed to the widening of scientific knowledge and humane feeling. It regards humanity as part of physical nature and opposes any appeal to supernatural agencies or explanations. In particular, human moral perspectives are human creations and the only basis for ethics. Secular values need re-affirming in the face of the resurgence of aggressive supernatural religious doctrines and practices. This book gives a set of 'secular thoughts for the day' - many only a page or two long - on topics as varied as Shakespeare and Comte, economics, science and social action.

The Deepening Foreground is a volume of poetry.

This book is a collection of essays on a spectrum of political, economic and social issues, plus ones which are philosophical and cultural. However, despite such variety, there is a good deal of inter-echoing between individual pieces. Emphasis has been given to a number of writers of the 19th and 20th centuries: those who, in the author's view, have done an enormous amount to set the intellectual agenda for Western culture in the 21st century. This is Tom Rubens's eighth published book on philosophy. He has also published fiction and poetry. He has spent most of his working life as a teacher of English, and describes himself as 'a social and political activist.'

This title features essays on social and cultural topics by the author of "Progressive Secular Society".

This group of essays follows a similar eclectic pattern to that found in Tom Rubens' previous essay-collections. The author's aim is, as before, to appeal widely but also succinctly: in a way that will stimulate readers to develop their own thoughts on, and consult more extensive treatments of, the subjects in question. As regards philosophers referred to in the in text, these include: Democritus, Spinoza, Schopenhauer and Sartre.