British thinker Mary Midgley believed in philosophy as a public endeavor, not just confined to academia. The podcast explores the relationship between public and academic philosophy, discussing the importance of connecting with wider audiences. Topics covered include the evolution of public philosophy, Mary Midgley's holistic approach, and the parallels drawn between philosophy and plumbing in addressing societal issues.
Public philosophy emphasizes accessibility and relevance to all, contrasting with traditional academic philosophy.
Mary Midgley's philosophical method focuses on connecting philosophy to everyday life through addressing public concerns.
Midgley's comparison of philosophy to plumbing highlights philosophers' role in unblocking conceptual barriers and providing new perspectives.
Deep dives
The Significance of Public Philosophy
Public philosophy is contrasted with the traditional image of academic philosophy, emphasizing accessibility and relevance to all. Mary Midgley, a prominent public philosopher, advocated for engaging with public issues and shaping philosophical concepts based on real-life concerns. Her work, along with scholars from the Women in Parenthesis Project, highlighted the importance of making philosophy accessible and immediate.
Mary Midgley's Approach to Philosophy
Mary Midgley's philosophical method centered on opposing abstraction and reduction, focusing on the connections between philosophy and everyday life. She critiqued dualistic thinking and emphasized the importance of comparing rather than contrasting concepts. Midgley's work spanned various topics such as bioethics, human nature, feminism, and environmental ethics, all grounded in addressing public concerns.
Challenges Faced by Mary Midgley
Mary Midgley faced challenges in academia due to being a woman and her public-facing writing style. Academic bias against accessible writing and her geographical distance from traditional philosophical hubs like Oxford impacted her recognition. Despite posthumous recognition, Midgley's unique perspective, emphasizing lived experience in philosophical inquiry, was undervalued during her lifetime.
Metaphor of Philosophy as Plumbing
Mary Midgley likened philosophy to plumbing, emphasizing the interconnectedness of concepts and the need to address blockages in understanding. She highlighted that philosophers are essential when concepts malfunction or stagnate in society. Midgley's metaphor underscores the role of philosophers in diagnosing societal issues, unblocking conceptual barriers, and providing new perspectives.
Challenging Traditional Philosophical Norms
Mary Midgley critiqued the traditional portrayal of philosophers as solitary and disconnected from mundane experiences. She questioned the relevance of abstract theorizing that overlooks human realities and relationships. Through her radio script highlighting the importance of lived experiences, Midgley advocated for a more inclusive and socially embedded approach to philosophy, contrary to the bachelor tradition in philosophy.
British thinker Mary Midgley (1919-2018) believed that philosophy should be a public undertaking, concerned with issues that have their genesis out in the world rather than within the academy. But what is the proper relationship between public and academic philosophy? And why are we talking about plumbing this week?
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