This introductory work discusses how people function in a pluralistic society and how they can accept a common social ethic - a publically justified morality. It presents straightforward analyses of the basic concepts, including justifications of liberty.

Part I The Idea of a Public Morality; Chapter 1 Moral Authoritarianism and Relativism; Chapter 2 Public Justification; Chapter 3 Value-promoting Public Moralities; Chapter 4 Utilitarianism As A Public Morality; Chapter 5 Strong Contractualism; Chapter 6 Weak Contractualism; Part II A Framework for Public Morality; Chapter 7 Liberty; Chapter 8 The Harm Principle; Chapter 9 Property; Chapter 10 Public Harms and Common Goods; Chapter 11 Two Quasi-Millian Principles;