Today, human exceptionalism is the norm. Despite occasional nods to animal welfare, we prioritize humanity, often neglecting the welfare of a vast number of beings. As a result, we use hundreds of billions of vertebrates and trillions of invertebrates every year for a variety of purposes, often unnecessarily. We also plan to use animals, AI systems, and other nonhumans at even higher levels in the future. Yet as the dominant species, humanity has a responsibility to ask: Which nonhumans matter, how much do they matter, and what do we owe them in a world reshaped by human activity and technology?In The Moral Circle, philosopher Jeff Sebo challenges us to include all potentially significant beings in our moral community, with transformative implications for our lives and societiesThis book explores provocative case studies such as lawsuits over captive elephants and debates over factory-farmed insects, and compels us to consider future ethical quandaries, such as whether to send microbes to new planets, and whether to create virtual worlds filled with digital minds. Taking an expansive view of human responsibility, Sebo argues that building a positive future requires the shedding of human exceptionalism and radically rethinking our place in the world.
Wherever there's a rule, there is someone with the power to apply or ignore it-or add to it, in the interest of justice. From enforcing chores to issuing life sentences, decision-makers deliver flawed and sometimes arbitrary outcomes. But is their use of discretion good or bad overall? As a society, should we seek to minimize or maximize discretion, with all its potential for bias and other kinds of human error?Reframing our understanding of justice and ethics, philosopher Barry Lam argues that while use of discretion-whether by a sports referee, a parent, a police officer, or a judge-can never be perfect, removing it has even more problematic effects. Mandatory arrests and sentencing laws have not eliminated bias, but have corrupted the courtroom, institutionalized lying, and brought about even more unjust and arbitrary results. Fewer Rules, Better People is a bold, riveting treatise that sheds new light on political debates about law and justice while aiming to prepare us for the imminent threat of more "perfect," discretion-less rule-enforcement by AI.
"Art has poisoned our life," proclaimed Dutch artist and De Stijl cofounder Theo van Doesburg. Reacting to the tumultuous crises of the twentieth century, especially the horrors of World War I, avant-garde artists and writers sought to destroy art by transforming it into the substance of everyday life. Following the evolution of these revolutionary groups, How to Be Avant-Garde charts its pioneers and radical ideas.From Paris to New York, from Zurich to Moscow and Berlin, avant-gardists challenged the confines of the definition of art along with the confines of the canvas itself. Art historian Morgan Falconer starts with the dynamic Futurist founder Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, whose manifesto extolling speed, destruction, and modernity seeded avant-gardes across Europe. In turn, Dadaists Hugo Ball and Emmy Hennings sought to replace art with political cabaret, and the Surrealists tried to exchange it for tools to plumb the unconscious.He guides us through the Russian Constructivists with their adventures in advertising and utopianism and then De Stijl with the geometric abstractions of Piet Mondrian. The Bauhaus broke more boundaries, transmuting art into architecture and design. Finally, the Situationists swapped art for politics, with many of their ideas inspiring the 1968 Paris student protests.How to Be Avant-Garde is a journey through the interlocking networks of these richly creative lives with their visions of a better world, their sometimes sympathetic but often strange and turbulent conversations, and their objects and writings that defied categorization.
Biologically, race does not exist. But in our social world, it remains decidedly important. Mainstream scientists embrace these truths, yet misinformation about human variation and genetics persists in our society. What is the true relationship between the two? And how should we talk about identity in science and medicine?In deeply researched, masterful prose, sociologist Dr. Rina Bliss guides us through the invention and evolution of the concept. She reveals how the myth of distinct, biological races endures in medicine, science, and social policy-warping our understanding of complex topics like intelligence, disease susceptibility, and behavior. Even well-intentioned researchers add to the confusion by introducing racial analysis in contexts where it doesn't belong, resulting in misleading reports that amplify harmful assumptions and ignore the social forces at work. At a time when misinformation about our bodies and identities is dangerously prevalent, Bliss unmasks what's truly real about race: namely, racism's impact on our bodies and lives.
What does it mean to be human in a world where machines, too, can be artists? The Uncanny Muse explores the history of automation in the arts and delves into one of the most momentous and controversial aspects of AI: artificial creativity. The adoption of technology and machinery has long transformed the world, but as the potential for artificial intelligence expands, David Hajdu examines the new, increasingly urgent questions about technology's role in culture.From the life-size mechanical doll that made headlines in Victorian London to the doll's modern AI-pop star counterpart, Hajdu traces the fascinating, varied ways in which inventors and artists have sought to emulate mental processes and mechanize creative production. For decades, machines and artists have engaged in expressing the human condition-along with the condition of living with machines-through player pianos, broadcasting technology, electric organs, digital movie effects, synthesizers, and motion capture. By communicating and informing human knowledge, the machines have exerted considerable influence on the history of art-and often more influence than humans have been willing to recognize. As Hajdu proclaims: "before machine learning, there was machine teaching."With thoughtful, wide-ranging, and surprising turns from Berry Gordy and George Harrison to Andy Warhol and Stevie Wonder, David Hajdu takes a novel and contrarian approach: he sees how machines through the ages have enabled creativity, not stifled it-and The Uncanny Muse sees no reason why this shouldn't be the case with AI today.
Already used at over 270 schools in its first edition, Let's Talk is well liked by students and instructors because it is approachable, interesting, and easy to read, with just enough detail on writing, reading, and research. The second edition continues to bring a stronger focus on listening, curiosity, and open-mindedness than any other book of its kind, and now adds timely new coverage of the need for conversation, the role of argument in all kinds of writing, and the use of AI, all in a more interactive ebook with over 30 videos.
Already used at over 270 schools in its first edition, Let's Talk is well liked by students and instructors because it is approachable, interesting, and easy to read, with just enough detail on writing, reading, and research. The second edition continues to bring a stronger focus on listening, curiosity, and open-mindedness than any other book of its kind, and now adds timely new coverage of the need for conversation, the role of argument in all kinds of writing, and the use of AI, all in a more interactive ebook with over 30 videos.
The Laboratory Manual for Introductory Geology provides an engaging way to learn geology, focusing on active exploration and real-life applications. Allan Ludman and Stephen Marshak are influential researchers and expert teachers who know how to make geoscience exciting for students. They introduce and reinforce key concepts and skills through rich illustrations, accessible explanations, intuitive labs with easy-to-follow instructions, and pedagogical tools that help students think like geologists.?The manual's modular chapters make it flexible and easy to assign with any introductory geology textbook, especially Marshak's Earth: Portrait of a Planet and Essentials of Geology. To make the lab experience more dynamic, the manual is supported by interactive resources, including 3D models of geologic specimens, videos, animations, interactive simulations, and Google Earth activities.?New to this edition:A reorganized Table of Contents designed to follow the typical sequence of the geology lab course.Revised and expanded discussion of plate tectonics, which is introduced in Ch. 2: The Way the Earth Works: Examining Plate Tectonics and further explored in a brand-new Ch. 10: Plate Tectonics II: A Deeper Understanding, which builds on the coverage of minerals, rocks, rock deformation, and earthquakes presented in the preceding chapters.New and revised exercises and activities based on reviewer feedback, including the earthquake epicenter exercise central to Ch. 9 and two groundwater pollution exercises in Ch. 14.?Coverage of recent geological events, including earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, accelerating climate change, and glacial retreat.
In the Eighteenth Edition, co-author Hahrie Han introduces an innovative new case-study framework that helps students see their own significance in the political system. Each chapter opens with a real-life example of a person whose engagement with government provides insights on a key question: If, when, and how do people matter in the American political system? The case is then woven through the chapter to introduce key concepts, and help students understand the significance of how the American political system affects our lives. Additional features and pedagogy in the Norton Illumine Ebook help students make sense of data-a long-standing hallmark of the book-and see how they can use evidence to answer questions about American government.
Written by master teachers Poundie Burstein and Joe Straus, the workbook that accompanies Concise Introduction to Tonal Harmony, Third Edition, provides your students the practice they need to master music theory. The workbook contains hundreds of exercises-more than could ever be assigned in any one class-offering you the flexibility to construct assignments that best meet the needs of your students. The Third Edition has been revised with new exercises based on new selections in the Third Edition .
Essentials of Biological Anthropology provides an accessible and engaging introduction to biological anthropology, with an emphasis on the discipline's relevance and latest research advancements. Through balanced and clear explanations, author Clark Larsen ensures that students not only grasp the basics, but also understand how what they're learning applies to their own lives, communities, and prospective career paths. The book's clear and concise writing, rich art program, and focus on new discoveries empower every student to succeed in the course. Available for the first time as a Norton Illumine Ebook, the Sixth Edition features brand-new 3D model interactive activities, new "Anthropology at Work" features and videos, and end-of-section Check Your Understanding questions designed to keep students engaged and on track.
The most contemporary microbiology textbook is also the most accessible.
The leading textbook on theater history now brings a truly global approach to the course. In the Eighth Edition's fully reorganized table of contents, new chapters on early African theatre and classical Asian theatre appear alongside an overhauled Part 3: "Global Theatres from 1800 to Today." In the Norton Illumine Ebook, new Check Your Understanding questions will help make the new edition's approach more easily digestible for students right as they first encounter the material. Living Theatre shows that not only is theatre alive and evolving, but so is theatre history.
From his influential scholarship to his popular writings to his appearances on the BBC, Jonathan Wolff has a knack for making moral philosophy vivid and exciting for any audience. In An Introduction to Moral Philosophy, he wields this talent to deliver a text that students enjoy reading. In addition to surveying the basics of ethical theory and critical thinking, Wolff guides students through debates about some of today's most urgent moral issues, including the ethics of race, gender, artificial intelligence, and public health. The text invites students to think for themselves about real-world issues and provides them with an accurate, appealing sense of what moral philosophy is all about.
Jonathan Wolff's Readings in Moral Philosophy is a thoughtfully curated and diverse collection of readings on ethical theory and contemporary moral issues. Used on its own or as a companion to the author's An Introduction to Moral Philosophy, Readings in Moral Philosophy strikes an ideal balance between readings on the basics of moral theory, readings on perennial moral debates, and readings on fascinating topics at the cutting edge of applied ethics. With a wide-ranging table of contents, robust pedagogical support, and an affordable price, the Second Edition provides exceptional value to moral philosophy courses.
Enjoy 120 colorful sketches that remind even the most jaded New Yorkers to notice the city's simple beauties.
Celebrate Kentucky bourbon, from Angel's Envy and Buffalo Trace to Willett and Woodford Reserve, by exploring the history of the drink, its heritage, influence, and how production affects what you taste in the glass. Each chapter of this handsomely illustrated volume profiles one distillery, featuring engaging stories of its origins, evolution, and initiatives for the future. Tasting notes for recommended bottles include popular favorites and worthy splurges so you can learn more about your preferred drams and discover exciting new expressions to try. Capsule biographies illuminate the achievements of distillers and other colorful characters alongside archival images and gorgeous photography that bring the fields, stills, rickhouses, bottles, and whiskeys beautifully to life. Meticulously researched, this thorough compendium also highlights must-visit events and attractions near the distilleries, allowing you to plan a pilgrimage or relive the experience of a lifetime. Kentucky Bourbon will help you enjoy the crown jewel of the commonwealth in all its splendor.
Simple, nostalgic recipes from a trusted guide in the world of baking, the world of queerness, and the world of queer baking.
In the annals of legendary Wild West desperados, Belle Starr is remembered to this day as the Bandit Queen. Shortly after her murder in 1889, a highly romanticized, sensational book titled Bella Starr . . . The Bandit Queen, or the Female Jesse James was published-the first of scores of high-profile portraits to brand Starr as a villain. Now, celebrated historian Michael Wallis parses over a century of mythmaking to reveal the woman behind the "Wanted" poster. From war-torn Carthage, Missouri, to rollicking Scyene, Texas, Starr indeed ran in the same circles as notorious outlaws Cole Younger and Jesse James, but Wallis shows that the crimes ascribed to her were embellished. The result is a breathtaking portrait of a woman demonized for refusing to accept the genteel Victorian ideals expected of her. Instead, she chose to live her life outside the law, riding sidesaddle with a pearl-handled Colt .45 strapped to her hip.
One of Literary Hub's Most Anticipated Books of 2024 Exploring the most transformative breakthroughs in biology since the discovery of the double helix, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist unveils the RNA age.
In a fast-paced narrative of soaring ideals and sordid politics, of civil war and foreign invasion, the award-winning historian Alan Taylor presents a pivotal twenty-year period in which North America's three largest countries-the United States, Mexico, and Canada-all transformed themselves into nations. The American Civil War stands at the center of the story, its military history and the drama of emancipation the highlights. Taylor relies on vivid characters to carry the story, from Joseph Hooker, whose timidity in crisis was exploited by Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson in the Union defeat at Chancellorsville, to Martin Delany and Mary Ann Shadd Cary, Black abolitionists whose critical work in Canada and the United States advanced emancipation and the enrollment of Black soldiers in Union armies.The outbreak of the Civil War created a continental power vacuum that allowed French forces to invade Mexico in 1862 and set up an empire ruled by a Habsburg archduke. This inflamed the ongoing power struggle between Mexico's Conservatives-landowners, the military, the Church-and Liberal supporters of social democracy, led ably by Benito Juarez. Along the southwestern border Mexico's Conservative forces made common cause with the Confederacy, while General James Carleton violently suppressed Apaches and Navajos in New Mexico and Arizona. When the Union triumph restored the continental balance of power, French forces withdrew, and Liberals consolidated a republic in Mexico.Canada was meantime fending off a potential rupture between French-speaking Catholics in Quebec and English-speakers in Ontario. When Union victory raised the threat of American invasion, Canadian leaders pressed for a continent-wide confederation joined by a transcontinental railroad. The rollicking story of liberal ideals, political venality, and corporate corruption marked the dawn of the Gilded Age in North America.
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