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Mary Midgley on What Matters

Conversations on Science, Ethics, and Nature
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Brief Description
Mary Midgley (1919–2018) was among the twentieth century’s most influential and wide-ranging moral philosophers. For more than four decades, she defended philosophy’s relevance to everyday life while contributing to debates on human nature, ethics, animals and the environment, science, religion, and other topics of lasting significance.... Read More
Format: Hardback
$13200
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Releases 10th December 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "Mary Midgley on What Matters" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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A thematically-curated collection of lively and engaging conversations with the late great philosopher, Mary Midgley.

A thematically-curated collection of lively and engaging conversations with the late great philosopher, Mary Midgley.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Mary Midgley (1919–2018) was among the twentieth century’s most influential and wide-ranging moral philosophers.

For more than four decades, she defended philosophy’s relevance to everyday life while contributing to debates on human nature, ethics, animals and the environment, science, religion, and other topics of lasting significance. Throughout her prolific career, she produced more than 250 publications, culminating in What Is Philosophy For? published just one month before her death at ninety-nine. This late work marked a remarkable final phase of writing that cemented her reputation as a distinctive philosophical voice and a powerful example of the enduring presence of women in philosophy.

Mary Midgley on What Matters offers an intimate account of this period through a series of conversations with Gregory McElwain, held in Midgley’s Newcastle home from 2011 to 2018. Organised thematically and framed by contextual commentary, the book presents Midgley’s reflections on the topics for which she is best known, with particular attention to her influential work on animals and the environment. Through conversation and exposition, the book foregrounds Midgley’s voice, highlighting her distinctive method, resistance to intellectual extremes, and commitment to philosophical clarity grounded in lived concerns.

Combining dialogue, narrative framing, and reflection, the book captures Midgley’s wit, warmth, and intellectual vitality while presenting philosophy in practice as an ongoing, conversational activity. It offers both an accessible introduction to Midgley’s thought and a distinctive record of philosophical companionship.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781350268715

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 10 December 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic

Contributors:

  • Edited by Gregory S. McElwain

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Width: 138.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 216

Collections

Education & Reference Non-Fiction Non-Fiction Pre-Orders Philosophy & Psychology Philosophy & Stoicism Pre-order Books Pre-orders Pre-orders by Release Date Science & Nature

About the Author

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 S. McElwain is Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at The College of Idaho, USA.

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