
A History of Ideas: Confucian Ancestor Worship
How do we achieve social harmony? For Chinese philosopher Confucius this was through recognizing hierarchies and honouring our elders.

A History of Ideas: Adam Smith On The Invisible Hand
Given a free market, individuals making self-interested decisions will unwittingly create an effective economic system that’s in the public interest. So thought Adam Smith.

A History of Ideas: Plato's Philosopher Kings
Is Democracy such a good way of deciding how to run a state? Plato said ‘no’.

A History of Ideas: John Locke on Toleration
Could you change your belief if threatened with torture? Or would you merely be saying that you’d changed, when deep down you still held your original belief?