Mary Midgley

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Somerville College

Mary Beatrice Midgley (née Scrutton; 13 September 1919 – 10 October 2018) was an influential British philosopher, known for her work in ethics, animal rights, and the philosophy of science, among other areas. Midgley's career was remarkable for its late start, with her first book, "Beast and Man: The Roots of Human Nature," being published when she was in her fifties. She went on to become a prolific writer, contributing significantly to philosophical discourse until well into her nineties.

Early Life and Education

Mary Midgley was born in London, the daughter of Tom Scrutton, a King's College-educated chaplain, and Lesley Hay Scrutton, a nurse. She grew up in a household where intellectual discussions were encouraged. Midgley attended Downe House School in Cold Ash, Berkshire, where she developed an early interest in philosophy, science, and literature.

She went on to read Classics and then Philosophy at Somerville College, Oxford, where she studied alongside notable philosophers such as Iris Murdoch, Philippa Foot, and Elizabeth Anscombe. This group of philosophers, sometimes referred to as "the Oxford female philosophers," would later become influential in their respective fields.

Career

After completing her studies, Midgley worked in non-academic roles before returning to academia in her mid-thirties. She took up a teaching position at Newcastle University, where she would remain for her entire academic career. Despite the late publication of her first book, Midgley quickly established herself as a significant figure in philosophy.

Her work often critiqued the reductionist trends she perceived in contemporary thought, particularly in the philosophy of mind and ethics. She was a vocal critic of Richard Dawkins' "selfish gene" theory, arguing that it oversimplified complex biological and social phenomena. Midgley's philosophy emphasized the complexity of life and the importance of integrating insights from various disciplines.

Philosophical Work

Midgley's philosophical approach was characterized by a broad, interdisciplinary perspective, drawing on biology, psychology, literature, and history, among other fields. She was particularly interested in the ways in which science and philosophy intersect and influence each other.

One of her key contributions to ethics was the development of a relational or contextual ethics, which focuses on the complexities of moral situations rather than applying rigid principles. In the field of animal rights, Midgley argued for the moral consideration of animals, critiquing the anthropocentric bias of much Western thought.

Selected Works

• Beast and Man: The Roots of Human Nature (1978)
• Wickedness: A Philosophical Essay (1984)
• The Ethical Primate: Humans, Freedom and Morality (1994)
• Science as Salvation: A Modern Myth and its Meaning (1992)

Legacy

Mary Midgley's work has had a lasting impact on several areas of philosophy, particularly in ethics and the philosophy of science. Her ability to engage with complex ideas in an accessible manner made her a popular figure not only within academic circles but also with the general public. She remained active in philosophical debates until her death in 2018, leaving behind a rich body of work that continues to inspire and provoke thought.