In this book, David M. Black considers psychoanalysis, religion, philosophy, developmental psychology, evolutionary biology, neuroscience and his own experience as a psychoanalyst, to explore the nature and power of both moral and aesthetic values.

David M. Black is a Fellow of the British Psychoanalytic Society/ Institute of Psychoanalysis and a founder member of the Foundation for Psychotherapy and Counselling (WPF). He works in London. He has written and lectured widely on science, religion and consciousness studies and is the editor of Psychoanalysis and Religion in the 21st Century: Competitors or Collaborators? (Routledge, 2006).

Introduction: Science and Values. Consciousness: 'A Fact Without Parallel'. Value-free Science: Galileo and Darwin. Sympathy as a Capacity. How Religions Work: A Comparison with Psychoanalysis. The Ownership of Consciousness and the Uniqueness of Subjects. Mapping a Detour: Why Did Freud Speak of a Death Drive? An Outline of a 'Contemplative Position'. Selves and No-selves. The Basis of Responsible Commitment.