Marcus Arvan is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Tampa, USA. He has published widely in moral and political philosophy, and metaphysics and philosophy of mind. His two previous books are Rightness as Fairness: A Moral and Political Theory (2016) and Neurofunctional Prudence and Morality: A Philosophical Theory (2020).

“Marcus Arvan has written an extremely valuable book about one of the most unfairly maligned and misunderstood figures in contemporary politics—the political moderate. He shows that far from being wishy-washy cowards, moderates in fact play a thankless but vital role in a healthy democracy. If you’ve ever been criticized for refusing to stick to an extreme view, you would benefit from reading this book. If you’ve ever issued such a criticism to another, everyone else would benefit from you reading it.” – Justin Tosi, Georgetown University, USA“Moderates are often derided by extremists on both sides, who see them as willing to compromise with the enemy. Against this backdrop, Arvan offers a compelling defense of political moderation—which involves pragmatism, respect for different values, and a view towards the long run. Combining historical examples with philosophical analysis, the book is especially relevant in these polarized times. Students, political philosophers, and concerned citizens in general will find much to draw from and engage with in this excellent short book.” – Hrishikesh Joshi, University of Arizona, USA“In a world that grows more and more polarized, many of us feel pulled further to the right or left. This book is an excellent prophylactic against that tendency. Though often disparaged, Marcus Arvan makes a compelling case for why it’s okay to be a moderate. Just as convincing are his arguments against being a radical. If you feel out of place in a world of political extremes, this is the book for you. I highly recommend it.” – Brian Kogelmann, Purdue University, USA“Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue," Barry Goldwater famously declared. This book challenges that claim, arguing that moderation is a principled and courageous response to the extremes that threaten democracy. Moderation is not a weakness but the discipline to navigate competing values and moral complexity. Its arguments are sure to unsettle conservatives, progressives, liberals, and libertarians alike, inviting readers to reconsider the role of compromise and restraint in a polarized time.” – John Thrasher, Chapman University, USA

• 1. The Curiously Poor Reputation of Moderates 2. What is it to be a Moderate? Means, Ends, Degrees, Contexts 3.The (Potential) Virtues of Progressivism and Conservatism, But (Very Real) Vices of Radicalism 4. The (Very Real) Virtues and (Potential) Vices of Moderates 5. Radical 20th Century Solutions, Radical 21st Century Problems: From Isolationism, Communism, Fascism, Reaganomics, and Thatcherism to Brexit, White Nationalism, and Back Again 6. Why It’s OK to be a Moderate: Prudently Guiding the Political Pendulum (with Radicals!)

Marcus Arvan is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Tampa, USA. He has published widely in moral and political philosophy, and metaphysics and philosophy of mind. His two previous books are Rightness as Fairness: A Moral and Political Theory (2016) and Neurofunctional Prudence and Morality: A Philosophical Theory (2020).

“Marcus Arvan has written an extremely valuable book about one of the most unfairly maligned and misunderstood figures in contemporary politics—the political moderate. He shows that far from being wishy-washy cowards, moderates in fact play a thankless but vital role in a healthy democracy. If you’ve ever been criticized for refusing to stick to an extreme view, you would benefit from reading this book. If you’ve ever issued such a criticism to another, everyone else would benefit from you reading it.” – Justin Tosi, Georgetown University, USA“Moderates are often derided by extremists on both sides, who see them as willing to compromise with the enemy. Against this backdrop, Arvan offers a compelling defense of political moderation—which involves pragmatism, respect for different values, and a view towards the long run. Combining historical examples with philosophical analysis, the book is especially relevant in these polarized times. Students, political philosophers, and concerned citizens in general will find much to draw from and engage with in this excellent short book.” – Hrishikesh Joshi, University of Arizona, USA“In a world that grows more and more polarized, many of us feel pulled further to the right or left. This book is an excellent prophylactic against that tendency. Though often disparaged, Marcus Arvan makes a compelling case for why it’s okay to be a moderate. Just as convincing are his arguments against being a radical. If you feel out of place in a world of political extremes, this is the book for you. I highly recommend it.” – Brian Kogelmann, Purdue University, USA“Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue," Barry Goldwater famously declared. This book challenges that claim, arguing that moderation is a principled and courageous response to the extremes that threaten democracy. Moderation is not a weakness but the discipline to navigate competing values and moral complexity. Its arguments are sure to unsettle conservatives, progressives, liberals, and libertarians alike, inviting readers to reconsider the role of compromise and restraint in a polarized time.” – John Thrasher, Chapman University, USA

• 1. The Curiously Poor Reputation of Moderates 2. What is it to be a Moderate? Means, Ends, Degrees, Contexts 3.The (Potential) Virtues of Progressivism and Conservatism, But (Very Real) Vices of Radicalism 4. The (Very Real) Virtues and (Potential) Vices of Moderates 5. Radical 20th Century Solutions, Radical 21st Century Problems: From Isolationism, Communism, Fascism, Reaganomics, and Thatcherism to Brexit, White Nationalism, and Back Again 6. Why It’s OK to be a Moderate: Prudently Guiding the Political Pendulum (with Radicals!)

Marcus Arvan is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Tampa, USA. He has published widely in moral and political philosophy, and metaphysics and philosophy of mind. His two previous books are Rightness as Fairness: A Moral and Political Theory (2016) and Neurofunctional Prudence and Morality: A Philosophical Theory (2020).

“Marcus Arvan has written an extremely valuable book about one of the most unfairly maligned and misunderstood figures in contemporary politics—the political moderate. He shows that far from being wishy-washy cowards, moderates in fact play a thankless but vital role in a healthy democracy. If you’ve ever been criticized for refusing to stick to an extreme view, you would benefit from reading this book. If you’ve ever issued such a criticism to another, everyone else would benefit from you reading it.” – Justin Tosi, Georgetown University, USA“Moderates are often derided by extremists on both sides, who see them as willing to compromise with the enemy. Against this backdrop, Arvan offers a compelling defense of political moderation—which involves pragmatism, respect for different values, and a view towards the long run. Combining historical examples with philosophical analysis, the book is especially relevant in these polarized times. Students, political philosophers, and concerned citizens in general will find much to draw from and engage with in this excellent short book.” – Hrishikesh Joshi, University of Arizona, USA“In a world that grows more and more polarized, many of us feel pulled further to the right or left. This book is an excellent prophylactic against that tendency. Though often disparaged, Marcus Arvan makes a compelling case for why it’s okay to be a moderate. Just as convincing are his arguments against being a radical. If you feel out of place in a world of political extremes, this is the book for you. I highly recommend it.” – Brian Kogelmann, Purdue University, USA“Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue," Barry Goldwater famously declared. This book challenges that claim, arguing that moderation is a principled and courageous response to the extremes that threaten democracy. Moderation is not a weakness but the discipline to navigate competing values and moral complexity. Its arguments are sure to unsettle conservatives, progressives, liberals, and libertarians alike, inviting readers to reconsider the role of compromise and restraint in a polarized time.” – John Thrasher, Chapman University, USA

• 1. The Curiously Poor Reputation of Moderates 2. What is it to be a Moderate? Means, Ends, Degrees, Contexts 3.The (Potential) Virtues of Progressivism and Conservatism, But (Very Real) Vices of Radicalism 4. The (Very Real) Virtues and (Potential) Vices of Moderates 5. Radical 20th Century Solutions, Radical 21st Century Problems: From Isolationism, Communism, Fascism, Reaganomics, and Thatcherism to Brexit, White Nationalism, and Back Again 6. Why It’s OK to be a Moderate: Prudently Guiding the Political Pendulum (with Radicals!)