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 the Philosophy & Ethics Library uses cookies and similar storage technologies.
Essential Cookies
Certain cookies are necessary for the basic operation of the catalogue. These include session cookies that maintain your browsing session and persistent cookies that remember your consent choices. Without these, features such as navigating between pages or saving your reading preferences would not function. Essential cookies do not require your prior consent.
Preference Cookies
Where enabled, preference cookies store information about your choices, such as the display mode or language selection. These cookies improve your experience by remembering your settings across visits. For example, if you choose a different font size or a dark theme, a preference cookie can retain that choice for your next visit.
Analytics Cookies
We may use analytics cookies, where enabled, to collect anonymised information about how visitors use the site. This data helps us understand which pages are most popular, how users navigate, and whether any errors occur. The information is aggregated and does not identify you personally. You may opt out of analytics cookies through the consent banner or your browser settings. Analytics cookies are typically provided by third-party services such as Google Analytics, and they allow us to improve the catalogue based on usage patterns.
Advertising Cookies
Where advertising is displayed, we may use cookies from Google and other advertising partners to deliver relevant advertisements and measure their performance. These cookies may track your visits to this and other sites to build a profile of your interests. You have the right to decline advertising cookies, and you can withdraw consent at any time via the consent settings. Advertising cookies are not used on all pages; they appear only where ad placements are enabled.
First-Party and Third-Party Cookies
First-party cookies are set by the Philosophy & Ethics Library directly. They are used for essential functions and preferences. Third-party cookies are set by services we use, such as Google Analytics or Google AdSense, where those services are enabled. We do not control the data practices of third parties, and we recommend reviewing their privacy policies for further information. Third-party cookies may also be used by embedded content, such as videos from external platforms, if such content is included on a page.
Session and Persistent Cookies
Session cookies are temporary and expire when you close your browser. They are used to maintain your session as you navigate the site. Persistent cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them. The exact duration varies by cookie and is not fixed. Persistent cookies are used for preferences and analytics, and their lifespan is typically limited to a few months or less.
Local Storage
In addition to cookies, we may use local storage (such as HTML5 localStorage) to store data on your device. This technology works similarly to cookies but can hold larger amounts of information. Local storage is used for similar purposes as cookies, such as remembering preferences or caching data for performance. Unlike cookies, local storage is not automatically sent to the server with each request, which can improve speed and privacy. You can clear local storage through your browser settings.
Your Consent Choices
When you first visit the site, a consent banner informs you about the types of cookies used. You may accept or decline optional cookies (analytics and advertising). You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link in the footer. Withdrawing consent for optional cookies does not affect the functionality of essential cookies. The consent banner will reappear if you clear your cookies or if the policy is updated.
Browser Controls
Most browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can block all cookies, delete existing cookies, or set preferences for specific sites. However, disabling essential cookies or local storage may impair the functionality of the catalogue, such as preventing you from saving reading progress or maintaining your session. For detailed instructions, consult your browser's help documentation.
Practical Effects of Disabling Storage
If you disable all cookies and local storage, you may still browse the catalogue, but features that rely on remembering your state—such as persistent login, reading lists, or personalised settings—will not work. The site will treat each visit as a new session. You will still be able to read and download public-domain ebooks, but your preferences will not be saved.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and we encourage you to review it periodically. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy, please contact the editor at [email protected].