Policy Press's New Horizons in Criminology book series provides concise authoritative texts that are international in scope and reflect cutting edge thought and theoretical developments. These short, accessible texts are written so that the nonspecialist academic, student or practitioner can understand them, by explaining principles and developments clearly before going deeper into the subject. Written by leading authors in their fields, the series will become essential reading for all academics and students (and practitioners) interested in where criminology is heading. The series was launched in 2016 with some great authors and important titles. The first books are: Convict Criminology by Rod Earle;Indigenous Criminology by Chris Cunneen and Juan Tauri; and Sports Criminology by Nic Groombridge. All three are highly recommended. Added to this is my own contribution on Philosophical Criminology. Other titles are in the pipeline.

The subject of criminology has always drawn on philosophical ideas, although this has often been on a pick-and-mix basis rather than a concerted engagement. As noted in this book's introduction, many criminologists would question the need for closer engagement with philosophy, and similarly not all philosophers will see the merit of engaging with criminology. Yet, the starting point for this book is that philosophers have for centuries been asking questions concerning how we get on with one another – and what happens when we do not – that have direct bearing on criminological concerns. Philosophers might also gain from greater exposure to the mess and dirt of the ‘real world’ as exposed by criminologists. Readers of this book will gain philosophical and theoretical insights into some big questions of direct relevance to criminology concerning values, morals, aesthetics, order/disorder, rules and respect. The book also highlights areas that are not often explored by criminologists, from landscape aesthetics through to theology. Examples are drawn from a variety of countries. My hope is that this book will become essential reading for those interested in questioning some of the underlying assumptions of the criminological enterprise.