Sets out a theory of modernity, based on the author's philosophy of critical realism. From 9/11 and the Asian Tsunami to the problems of poverty and dramatic climate change, to issues of global governance and security, this book argues that critical realism can illuminate these modern dilemmas.

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.

1:Rethematizing Ontology and Critical Realist Coordinates
2. Reconsidering the Problem of Naturalism: Epistemological Subjectivity, Moral Agency, Democracy, Rationality
and Tolerance and Understanding of "the Other"
3. The Idea of Subject-Subject Relations
4. Transcendental Foundations of Peace Processes and New Questions for the Meta-Theory of Democracy
i. Critical Realism, the Philosophy of Meta-Reality adn the Theory of Co-presence as Frameworks for Understanding Peace and Conflict Transformation
ii. Theories of Peace and Justice
5. Interdisciplinarity and Its Objects
6. Axiality, Solidarity and Modernity
7. Reconfiguring Rational Theology
8. Origins and Trajectories of Modernities
9. Contours fo Alienation in a Regime of Global Crisis
10. The Philosophy of Meta-Reality and the Politics of Difference
i. Principles of the Philosophy of Meta-Reality
ii. the Critique of Modernist Post-Modernity
iii. Reflexivity and Meta-Axial Post-Modernity
11. A New Approach to Security