What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help the site remember your actions and preferences over time. This policy explains how Philosophy & Ethics Library uses cookies and similar storage technologies, such as local storage, to provide and improve our service.
Essential Cookies
Some cookies are strictly necessary for the basic operation of the catalogue. They enable you to navigate the site, search for books, and access your reading lists. Without these cookies, certain features may not function correctly. Essential cookies do not require your consent because they are needed to deliver the service you request. They are typically first-party, session cookies that expire when you close your browser.
Preference Cookies
We use preference cookies to remember choices you make, such as your preferred text size, display settings, or which categories you have selected. These cookies help us tailor the experience to your personal tastes. Where enabled, we may store your preferences locally so that they persist across visits. Preference cookies are generally persistent but remain on your device only for a period necessary to maintain your settings.
Analytics Cookies
Where analytics cookies are enabled, we collect anonymous information about how visitors interact with the catalogue. This includes which pages are most frequently viewed, how users navigate between sections, and general geographic trends at the country level. This data helps us understand which works and categories — such as World Events in Context: Sources & Perspectives or Ethics, Logic & Ideas — Reader’s Shelf — are of greatest interest, and to improve the overall organisation of the library. Analytics cookies may be first-party or third-party, and may be session or persistent. We do not link this data to any individual identity.
Advertising Cookies
If advertising is displayed on the site, we may use Google advertising technologies to serve relevant advertisements. These technologies may place cookies on your device to build a profile of your interests and show you ads that are likely to be relevant. Advertising cookies are third-party, persistent cookies controlled by Google. You can opt out of personalised advertising through Google’s Ads Settings. We do not control the data collected by these third parties; their use of your information is governed by their own privacy policies.
Local Storage
In addition to cookies, we may use local storage to store data on your device, such as reading progress or recently viewed titles. Local storage is similar to cookies but can hold larger amounts of data and does not automatically expire. We use local storage only where necessary for the functionality you request, and you can clear it through your browser settings.
Your Choices
When you first visit the site, you may be presented with a banner or panel that allows you to accept or decline non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by adjusting your browser settings or, where available, through the consent management tool provided on the site. Withdrawing consent for optional cookies will not affect the essential operation of the catalogue.
Browser Controls
Most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can block or delete cookies entirely, or configure your browser to notify you when a cookie is set. Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of the site, including the ability to save preferences or maintain a reading list. Instructions for managing cookies are usually found in the ‘Help’ section of your browser.
Practical Effects of Disabling Storage
If you disable all cookies and local storage, the catalogue will still display public-domain works and allow you to browse categories such as Mechanics, Light & Energy — Reader’s Shelf or Political Philosophy. However, features that rely on memory — such as remembering which titles you have viewed, keeping you logged in, or preserving display preferences — will not work. You may need to re-enter certain information each time you visit.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology or legal requirements. Any revisions will be posted on this page, and your continued use of the site after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.