Mary Midgley on What Matters: Conversations on Science, Ethics, and Nature

Mary Midgley (1919-2018) was one of the most relevant and wide-ranging moral philosophers of the last century. For over 40 years, she drew attention to the necessity of philosophy in everyday life while making significant contributions on such topics as human nature, ethics, animals and the environment, science, religion, and other real-world issues. Midgley’s remarkable career saw the publication of over 250 books, journal articles, pamphlets, and other materials, concluding with the publication of What Is Philosophy For? at age 99, just one month before her death. This work was the last in a series of publications late in Midgley’s career that cemented her reputation as a singular thinker and a shining example of the significant presence of women in philosophy.

Mary Midgley on What Matters offers a window into this noteworthy period late in Midgley’s career. It invites the reader into a series of visits and conversations between Gregory McElwain and Mary Midgley at her home in Newcastle from 2011-2018. Framed and thematically curated by McElwain, these conversations present Midgley’s thoughts, reminiscences, and concerns on life and the topics for which she is best-known, with special emphasis on her influential perspective on animals and the environment. In this accessible book, Midgley’s witty and lively voice is emphasized throughout, giving the reader a sense of what it is like to engage with one of the more vibrant philosophers in living memory.

Mary Midgley was Senior Lecturer Emeritus in Philosophy, Newcastle University, UK. One of the leading moral philosophers of the 20th century, Midgley has written extensively on human nature, science, ethics, animals, and the environment. Her books include Beast and Man, Heart and Mind, Animals and Why They Matter, Are You an Illusion? and her final magnum opus, What is Philosophy For? (Bloomsbury, 2018).

Gregory McElwain is Associate Professor and Chair of Philosophy and Religious Studies at The College of Idaho, USA. His research focuses on the thought of Mary Midgley and the intersection of animal and environmental ethics. He is author of Mary Midgley: An Introduction (Bloomsbury, 2019) and collaborated with Midgley during the final years of her life.