Roy Bhaskar's most important and fully elaborated book to date sets out a new theory of modernity, based on his philosophy of critical realism. He considers first the original terrain of the discipline, in an exceptionally clear restatement, which culminates in a brilliant engagement with some of the pressing conundrums of the contemporary world. From 9/11 and the Asian Tsunami to the problems of poverty and dramatic climate change, to issues of global governance and security. He argues that critical realism can illuminate these modern dilemmas. He produces a topology for the human sciences, outlines a revolutionary framework for peace and conflict resolution and considers a meta-theory of democracy. He goes on to develop his new theory of modernity. A radically new analysis of the self and human agency. At its most fundamental he gives a picture of the human experience of life, encompassing science, morality and justice within a common framework, a framework of human learning.

He argues that individuals and humanities innate capacity for self-conscious learning is the key to achieve true emancipation and escape the alienation and crisis which feature so heavily in the current life experience. He believes in so doing we will reach a New Enlightenment. An enlightenment which will truly emancipate us all.