Summary

This landmark work challenges the separatist doctrines which have come to dominate our understanding of the world. Appiah revives the ancient philosophy of Cosmopolitanism, which dates back to the Cynics of the 4th century. He traces its history through the legacies of the Enlightenment and French Revolution. In doing so, Appiah shows how Western intellectuals and leaders, on both the left and right, have wildly exaggerated the power of difference - and neglected the power of one, one world, and one species. Challenging years of received wisdom, Cosmopolitanism is a resounding work of philosophy and global culture.