This work compares humans to other intelligent animals, drawing conclusions about human social life and our treatment of those whom it argues we should no longer call "disabled". It shows that humans are independent but they are also dependent animals who must learn in order to stay independent.

According to the author of "After Virtue, " to flourish, humans need to develop virtues of independent thought and acknowledged social dependence. This book presents the moral philosopher's comparison of humans to other animals and his exploration of the impact of these virtues.