Racism, sexism, transphobia, politics - even differences over less important matters have grown bitter, thetorically violent and socially toxic. Vital debates are ruined by new weapons in the so-called 'culture wars'. One side deploys 'cancelling' and 'no platforming'; opponents counter with accusations of censorship and free speech denial. We can see the pernicious results: social media pile-ons causing job loss, reputational harm, threats to safety, and even suicide and murder. The important task of ending discrimination and promoting social justice is undermined by excesses on all sides. How did we end up here? A. C. Grayling searches for nuanced, historically grounded answers.

Arguing that history is a tragic succession of 'cancellation' endeavours, and that there are far better ways to navigate disagreements, Discriminations offers a timely examination of the state of public discourse - and how we might move forward.