Mary Midgley

Mary Midgley (1919-2018) was a British moral philosopher who wrote extensively on science, ethics, animal rights, and the human relationship with the natural world. Her work challenged scientific reductionism and what she saw as oversimplified approaches to complex philosophical questions. Midgley began her academic career relatively late, publishing her first book Beast and Man (1978) at age 59. She went on to produce influential works including Heart and Mind (1981), Animals and Why They Matter (1983), and Science as Salvation (1992), establishing herself as a significant voice in philosophical discourse. Her philosophical approach emphasized the interconnected nature of human experience and rejected artificial divisions between emotion and rationality. She was particularly critical of sociobiology, genetic determinism, and what she considered to be the misuse of scientific authority in cultural and ethical debates. Throughout her career at Newcastle University and beyond, Midgley developed a reputation for engaging in spirited intellectual debates, notably with Richard Dawkins regarding his work The Selfish Gene. Her final book What is Philosophy For? was published in 2018, the year of her death.

Readers praise Midgley's clear writing style and ability to tackle complex philosophical ideas in accessible language. Many note her skill at dismantling reductionist arguments while maintaining scholarly rigor. Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of difficult concepts - Practical applications of philosophy to real-world issues - Strong arguments against scientific reductionism - Integration of science and ethics - Sharp critical analysis Common criticisms: - Can be repetitive across different works - Sometimes oversimplifies opposing viewpoints - Writing occasionally becomes dense and academic - Some find her tone too combative in critiquing other philosophers Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Beast and Man: 4.0/5 (89 ratings) - Science and Poetry: 3.9/5 (67 ratings) - Evolution as a Religion: 3.8/5 (112 ratings) Amazon: - What is Philosophy For?: 4.5/5 (31 reviews) - Are You an Illusion?: 4.2/5 (28 reviews) Multiple readers cite her work as "thought-provoking without being impenetrable" and praise her "courage to challenge dominant scientific narratives."

Beast and Man: The Roots of Human Nature (1978) Examines human nature through both biological and philosophical lenses, arguing against reductionism while exploring the continuities between humans and animals.

Heart and Mind: The Varieties of Moral Experience (1981) Analyzes the relationship between emotion and reason in moral decision-making and ethical thought.

Animals and Why They Matter (1983) Explores the moral status of animals and critiques philosophical arguments used to justify their exploitation.

Evolution as a Religion (1985) Critiques the tendency to transform scientific theories about evolution into comprehensive worldviews that exceed their scientific basis.

Wickedness: A Philosophical Essay (1984) Investigates the nature of evil and moral responsibility, challenging simplistic explanations of human wickedness.

Can't We Make Moral Judgements? (1991) Defends the possibility of objective moral judgments against moral relativism and subjectivism.

Science as Salvation (1992) Examines the ways in which scientific theories sometimes function as substitutes for religious beliefs.

The Ethical Primate (1994) Explores moral philosophy from the perspective of human evolution and biological nature.

Utopias, Dolphins and Computers (1996) Analyzes problems in contemporary thought about consciousness, artificial intelligence, and environmental ethics.

Science and Poetry (2001) Examines the relationship between scientific and poetic ways of understanding the world.

The Myths We Live By (2003) Identifies and critiques various myths that shape modern thinking about science, progress, and human nature.

The Solitary Self: Darwin and the Selfish Gene (2010) Critiques individualistic interpretations of evolutionary theory and their influence on social thought.

What is Philosophy For? (2018) Presents philosophy as a practical discipline for addressing contemporary problems and understanding human experience.

Iris Murdoch wrote about ethics and moral philosophy with a focus on human nature and virtue. She combined philosophical analysis with insights about human psychology, similar to Midgley's approach to understanding human behavior.

Peter Singer examines practical ethics and our relationship with animals through analytical philosophical arguments. His work connects to Midgley's interests in human-animal relationships and applied ethics, though they often reached different conclusions.

Philippa Foot developed virtue ethics theories and wrote about moral philosophy through examination of human nature. Her work on natural goodness shares common ground with Midgley's exploration of human nature and morality.

Martha Nussbaum analyzes ethics through the lens of human emotions and explores connections between philosophy and literature. Her writing style bridges academic philosophy and broader cultural analysis like Midgley's work.

Bernard Williams wrote about ethics while critiquing oversimplified moral theories and highlighting the complexity of human nature. His skepticism toward reductionist approaches to ethics aligns with Midgley's rejection of scientific oversimplification.