Future Perfect: the transhumanist quest to defeat death
Transhumanists would like to cheat death and redesign genes. But Anita Silvers is not sure that would be wise
Ideas
Thinker: David Hume
Julian Baggini celebrates the pragmatic genius of David Hume
Thinker: Adam Smith
Nicholas Phillipson explains why the ideas of Adam Smith are still common currency today
Gurus of endless war
Rumsfeld resigned, Wolfowitz ousted, Fukuyama defected, 'Scooter' Libby convicted. You could be forgiven for thinking that neoconservatives have had their day. But that would be a grave error, warns political…
Be tolerant or else
Eliane Glaser challenges a core British value
High Flyer: Richard Rorty obituary
Danny Postel remembers the daring philosophy of Richard Rorty, who died in June 2007
Through the looking glass
AC Grayling finds that in the work of leading philosopher John Gray, everything is the wrong way round and upside down
Atheism à la mode
What is the outspoken French atheist philosopher Michel Onfray really saying? Caspar Melville meets him and canvasses some expert opinion.
Charity Balls: Laurie Taylor Interviews Richard Curtis
From Blackadder to Four Weddings and a Funeral Richard Curtis has made millions out of making us laugh. He tells Laurie Taylor why comedy has a duty to bring relief
Hopeless romantics
Lynda Nead takes in the National Gallery's new show