Social Structures

Shape Summary of Key Points

Shape’ explores the profound impact that geometry has on various aspects of the human experience, ranging from natural phenomena to complex societal structures. Author Jordan Ellenberg, a mathematician, presents geometry not just as a mathematical discipline, but as a powerful lens through which to view the world. The book delves into topics like the geometry of voting, the shape of epidemics, and how algorithms shape our understanding of information. Through engaging narratives and accessible explanations, Ellenberg demonstrates how geometric principles underpin many aspects of life and thought.

A Theory of Justice Summary of Key Points

John Rawls’s ‘A Theory of Justice’ is a seminal work in political philosophy and ethics, in which Rawls presents his theory of justice as fairness. He argues for a principled reconciliation of liberty and equality, to be applied to the basic structure of a well-ordered society. Central to his theory is the idea of the ‘original position,’ a hypothetical state of equality in which individuals make decisions about the rules of society behind a ‘veil of ignorance,’ unaware of their own particular advantages.