Kenan Malik’s ambitious new history of ethics, reviewed here by Jonathan Israel, makes the case that they are not.

2. Reflections on Charlie Hebdo

After the Paris attacks, we need to renew our commitment to a democratic and just world, writes Daniel Trilling, in the extended editorial to our Spring 2015 issue.

3. Travels in Yangzhou, where authenticity is a state of mind

For a visitor accustomed to the cult of the individual, the ordering of experience in Chinese art can be disarming, writes New Humanist's poetry editor, Fiona Sampson.

4. In search of the ‘New Turkey’

The country's ruling Islamists have promised to reconcile religious tradition and economic growth, writes Kaya Genc in this essay from our Winter issue. But is the project starting to unravel?

5. What does Utopia tell us about our attitudes to disaster?

Channel 4’s conspiracy-thriller Utopia weaves a horror story from recent history. What does it tell us, asks Sarah Ditum.

For January's top long-reads, click here.

For more on our Spring issue - out now - click here.