The Point

Moral Mysteries

The article examines Iris Murdoch’s moral philosophy, arguing that it has been systematically misread by mainstream analytic philosophers. Mark Hopwood’s new book contends that Murdoch’s work is coherent, metaphor‑driven, and deliberately resists systematic codification. Central to her thought are concepts like "loving attention" and the rejection of universal moral rules in favor of imaginative, particularized understanding of others. The piece suggests that re‑evaluating Murdoch could reshape contemporary ethical theory and restore her to a prominent place in philosophical curricula.