Publisher Description

Iris Murdoch has long been known as one of the most deeply insightful and morally passionate novelists of our time. This attention has often eclipsed Murdoch's sophisticated and influential work as a philosopher, which has had a wide-ranging impact on thinkers in moral philosophy as well as religious ethics and political theory. Yet it has never been the subject of a book-length study in its own right. Picturing the Human seeks tofill this gap. In this groundbreaking book, author Maria Antonaccio presents the first systematic and comprehensive treatment of Murdoch's moral philosophy. Unlike literary critical studies of her novels, itoffers a general philosophical framework for assessing Murdoch's thought as a whole. Antonaccio also suggests a new interpretive method for reading Murdoch's philosophy and outlines the significance of her thought in the context of current debates in ethics. This vital study will appeal to those interested in moral philosophy, religious ethics, and literary criticism, and grants those who have long loved Murdoch's novels a closer look at her remarkable philosophy.

Author Biography

Maria Antonaccio is Assistant Professor of Religion at Bucknell University.

Review

"Maria Antonaccio's book deserves applause: Iris Murdoch's philosophical work merits a larger, informed audience; Antonaccio's book will help to gather and inform that audience."--The Journal of Religion"Offers a systematic framework for assessing Iris Murdoch's remarkable philosophy....What emerges is the depth and insight of Murdoch's moral imagination. Highly recommended."--Library Journal"Maria Antonaccio's book deserves applause: Iris Murdoch's philosophical work merits a larger, informed audience; Antonaccio's book will help to gather and inform that audience."--The Journal of Religion"Offers a systematic framework for assessing Iris Murdoch's remarkable philosophy....What emerges is the depth and insight of Murdoch's moral imagination. Highly recommended."--Library Journal

Promotional

Will appeal to adimirers of the recent popular memoir, Elegy for Iris.

Long Description

Iris Murdoch has long been known as one of the most deeply insightful and morally passionate novelists of our time. This attention has often eclipsed Murdoch's sophisticated and influential work as a philosopher, which has had a wide-ranging impact on thinkers in moral philosophy as well as religious ethics and political theory. Yet it has never been the subject of a book-length study in its own right. Picturing the Human seeks to
fill this gap. In this groundbreaking book, author Maria Antonaccio presents the first systematic and comprehensive treatment of Murdoch's moral philosophy. Unlike literary critical studies of her novels, it offers a general philosophical framework for assessing Murdoch's thought as a whole. Antonaccio also
suggests a new interpretive method for reading Murdoch's philosophy and outlines the significance of her thought in the context of current debates in ethics. This vital study will appeal to those interested in moral philosophy, religious ethics, and literary criticism, and grants those who have long loved Murdoch's novels a closer look at her remarkable philosophy.

Review Text

"Maria Antonaccio's book deserves applause: Iris Murdoch's philosophical work merits a larger, informed audience; Antonaccio's book will help to gather and inform that audience."--The Journal of Religion
"Offers a systematic framework for assessing Iris Murdoch's remarkable philosophy....What emerges is the depth and insight of Murdoch's moral imagination. Highly recommended."--Library Journal
"Maria Antonaccio's book deserves applause: Iris Murdoch's philosophical work merits a larger, informed audience; Antonaccio's book will help to gather and inform that audience."--The Journal of Religion
"Offers a systematic framework for assessing Iris Murdoch's remarkable philosophy....What emerges is the depth and insight of Murdoch's moral imagination. Highly recommended."--Library Journal

Review Quote

"Offers a systematic framework for assessing Iris Murdoch's remarkablephilosophy....What emerges is the depth and insight of Murdoch's moralimagination. Highly recommended."--Library Journal

Feature

Will appeal to adimirers of the recent popular memoir, Elegy for Iris.
A unique examiniation of the thinking of an extaordinary novelist and philosopher.

Details