Read more
Scholarly interest in theological aspects of Murdoch's fiction and philosophy took off slowly. It was thirty years after her writing debut that the first work taking detailed notice of the theological language deployed by this overtly-atheist author appeared, and it was a further decade before theologians began to engage with Murdoch's work together. But it was not until the twenty-first century that this aspect of Murdoch's thought and imagination began to receive sustained attention. This collection seeks to build on this foundation, begun forty years ago, and to expand the work in this area of Murdoch studies which has lately been gathering momentum. This project consolidates earlier discussion of the vital part theology plays in Murdoch's thought, and then takes the debate in new directions. Contributors include a wide range of current Murdoch scholars from diverse disciplines who develop debate about this subject in a variety of innovative and fruitful ways, to inspire future works in this area of Murdoch studies.
List of contents
1 Introduction: Miles Leeson and Frances White: PART ONE: CHRISTIANITY.- 2. Murdoch and the Mystical Christ : a Dialogue with Christian Theology: Paul Fiddes.- 3. Despite herself: Iris Murdoch, the reluctant Christian?: Frances White.- 4. Christian readers in England and the philosophy of Iris Murdoch 1948-c.1982: Peter Webster.- 5. Quakerish lady ? Iris Murdoch and the Religious Society of Friends: Tasha Alden: PART TWO: INDIVIDUAL TEXTS, DIALOGUES AND PEOPLE.- 6. Iris Murdoch and The Book of Job: Daniel Read.- 7. The Good Life: Iris Murdoch and Medieval Theology: Matthew Mills.- 8. God s Spies: Iris Murdoch and Julian of Norwich: Anne Rowe.- 9. Murdoch s MacKinnon: The Grounding of Metaphysics as a Guide to Morals: Miles Leeson: PART THREE: PUSHING OUT THE BOUNDARIES.- 10 The Point at which Plato starts making jokes : The Fire and the Sun as Religious Text: Hannah Maria Altorf.- 11 Forgiveness and the Beautiful, Unexpected Strangeness of the World in Iris Murdoch: Scott H. Moore.- 12. Seeing more than we are supposed to : Iris Murdoch and the Occult:
About the author
Miles Leeson
is Director of the Iris Murdoch Research Centre at the University of Chichester and Senior Lecturer in English Literature. He is also Visiting Research Fellow at Kingston University.
Frances White
is Deputy Director of the Iris Murdoch Research Centre and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Chichester.
