In a time of intellectual uncertainty, the question of how we know what we do about human lives becomes ever more pressing. The essays collated in this volume argue that anthropology can be used to acknowledge, explore and interpret divergence and ideological conflict over human meaning. "This is a noteworthy and laudable effort to bridge Enlightenment thought, that Age of Reason, with the social world of today, which many would assert is an Age of Unreason. - Lee Drummond, McGill University, Canada This brilliant book illuminates acute issues in anthropology on methodology, ontology and epistemology by suggesting an anthropologically inspired moral voice and vision. - Helena Wulff, Stockholm University, Sweden This wide-ranging collection of essays clearly demonstrates the undiminished value of Enlightenment thinking. - Martin L. Davies, University of Leicester, UK The mandate of this exciting collection is a re-engagement with Enlightenment ideas, particularly the concept of "moral sentiment". Its accomplished set of authors challenge us to consider what such ideas mean for contemporary anthropological practice and theory. - Vered Amit, Concordia University, Canada"