This volume investigates how early modern philosophers conceptualized, justified, or critiqued the institution of slavery between 1500 and 1765. Julia Jorati, a scholar specializing in early modern philosophy, curates a selection of primary texts to examine the intellectual foundations of human bondage during this period. The work argues that these philosophical frameworks were not peripheral but central to the development of early modern political and moral thought. By presenting these readings, the book provides a structured look at the arguments used by canonical thinkers to address the status of enslaved persons within their broader metaphysical and political systems.

Scholars and students of philosophy view this collection as a vital resource for understanding the often-overlooked connections between canonical thought and the history of slavery. The text is frequently cited for its academic rigor and its ability to synthesize complex primary sources into a coherent historical narrative.