The Royal Institute of Philosophy has been sponsoring conferences in
alter- nate years since 1969. These have from the start been intended to
be of interest to persons who are not philosophers by profession. They
have mainly focused on interdisciplinary areas such as the philosophies
of psychology, education and the social sciences. The volumes arising
from these conferences have included discussions between philosophers
and distinguished practitioners of other disciplines relevant to the
chosen topic. Beginning with the 1979 conference on 'Law, Morality and
Rights' and the 1981 conference on 'Space, Time and Causality' these
volumes are now constituted as a series. It is hoped that this series
will contribute to advancing philosophical understanding at the
frontiers of philosophy and areas of interest to non-philosophers. It is
hoped that it will do so by writing which reduces technicalities as much
as the subject-matter permits. In this way the series is intended to
demonstrate that philosophy can be clear and worthwhile in itself and at
the same time relevant to the interests of lay people.