This book investigates the fundamental moral principles that underpin the existence and functioning of social institutions. It examines how concepts like rights, duties, and collective responsibility are essential for understanding the legitimacy and ethical obligations of various social structures, from families to states. The author, Seumas Miller, draws upon extensive philosophical literature to construct a framework for analyzing the moral architecture of society.

This work is positioned as a significant contribution to the philosophy of social institutions, likely appealing to academics and students in philosophy, sociology, and political science. Its detailed examination of moral foundations suggests a rigorous and theoretically dense approach to the subject matter. The book is expected to engage with complex ethical and social theories, offering a systematic analysis for those interested in the philosophical underpinnings of societal structures.