Metaphysical Animals By Clare Maccumhaill And Rachael Wiseman

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Elizabeth Anscombe Takes A Stand

20220221

20220222 (R4)

Out of the despair of WWII four brilliant women friends brought philosophy back to life and laid the foundation of today's ethical thinking. Fenella Woolgar reads.

Iris Murdoch, Mary Midgley, Philippa Foot and Elizabeth Anscombe studied philosophy together at Oxford University during WWII when many male students and tutors were conscripted. Taught by refugee scholars, conscientious objectors and a number of women tutors the four friends were profoundly affected by the unprecedented horrors of war, especially the Holocaust, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In response they set out to make sense of the disorder and despair that followed, and developed a philosophy relevant to every day life, which went on to shape contemporary ethical thinking.

We meet the quartet at the start of their friendship, as they embark on their lives as undergraduates, and later as they take up jobs in the post war period. We encounter the philosophers who inspired their thinking from the brilliant but chaotic, Ludwig Wittgenstein to the superstar thinker, Jean-Paul Sartre. Later, we witness their theorising and thought as it evolved over the decades. All the while, we are with them as they go about the stuff of every day living, including the sometimes emotional and unconventional turmoil of their love lives.

Metaphysical Animals is vividly and expertly written by philosophy lecturers, Clare Mac Cumhaill and Rachael Wiseman who took their inspiration from their own friendship with one of the key players in this remarkable and little known story, Mary Midgley.

Abridged by Katrin Williams

Produced by Elizabeth Allard

The story of how four brilliant friends approached philosophy after WWII.

How four brilliant women brought philosophy back to life in Second-World-War Oxford.

Learning In Wartime

20220222

20220223 (R4)

The quartet of brilliant women friends, Iris Murdoch, Mary Midgley, Philippa Foot and Elizabeth Anscombe, are inspired and challenged at Oxford University where the seeds of their philosophical thinking are sewn. Fenella Woolgar reads.

As young women the four friends met and studied philosophy together at Oxford University during WWII when many male students and tutors were conscripted. Taught by refugee scholars, conscientious objectors and a number of women tutors the four were profoundly affected by the unprecedented horrors of war, especially the Holocaust, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In response they set out to make sense of the disorder and despair that followed, and developed a philosophy relevant to every day life, which went on to shape contemporary ethical thinking.

We meet the quartet at the start of their friendship, as they embark on their lives as undergraduates, and later as they take up jobs in the post war period. We encounter the philosophers who inspired their thinking from the brilliant but chaotic, Ludwig Wittgenstein to the superstar thinker, Jean-Paul Sartre. Later, we witness their theorising and thought as it evolved over the decades. All the while, we are with them as they go about the stuff of everyday living , including the sometimes emotional and unconventional turmoil of their love lives.

Abridged by Katrin Williams

Produced by Elizabeth Allard

The four friends find are inspired and challenged by their Oxford University tutors.

How four brilliant women brought philosophy back to life in Second-World-War Oxford.

Love And War At Seaforth Place, London.

20220223

20220224 (R4)

For Iris Murdoch and Philippa Foot love leads to a messy tangle and bitter tears. Meanwhile, Wittgenstein's approach to philosophy inspires Elizabeth Anscombe. Read by Fenella Woolgar.

Iris Murdoch, Mary Midgley, Philippa Foot and Elizabeth Anscombe studied philosophy together at Oxford University during WWII when many male students and tutors were conscripted. Taught by refugee scholars, conscientious objectors and a number of women tutors the four friends were profoundly affected by the unprecedented horrors of war, especially the Holocaust, Hiroshima and Nagadaki. In response they set out to make sense of the disorder and despair that followed, and developed a philosophy relevant to every day life, which went on to shape contemporary ethical thinking.

We meet the quartet at the start of their friendship, as they embark on their lives as undergraduates, and later as they take up jobs in the post war period. We encounter the philosophers who inspired their thinking from the brilliant but chaotic, Ludwig Wittgenstein to the superstar thinker, Jean-Paul Sartre. Later, we witness their theorising and thought as it evolved over the decades. All the while, we are with them as they go about the stuff of ordinary life, including the sometimes emotional and unconventional turmoil of their love lives.

Abridged by Katrin Williams

Produced by Elizabeth Allard

How four brilliant women brought philosophy back to life in Second-World-War Oxford.

Iris Murdoch Encounters Jean-paul Sartre

20220224

20220225 (R4)

Philippa Foot formulates an ethical and moral question; Sartre's existentialist thought captivates Irish Murdoch, meanwhile Elizabeth Anscombe and Mary Midgley engage in deep philosophical conversation, inspired by Wittgenstein's ground breaking approach. Fenella Woolgar reads.

We meet the quartet at the start of their friendship, as they embark on their lives as undergraduates, and later as they take up jobs in the post war period. We encounter the philosophers who inspired their thinking from the brilliant but chaotic, Ludwig Wittgenstein to the superstar thinker, Jean-Paul Sartre. Later, we witness their theorising and thought as it evolved over the decades. All the while, we are with them as they go about the stuff of everyday life, including the sometimes emotional and unconventional turmoil of their love lives.

Abridged by Katrin Williams

Produced by Elizabeth Allard

Post-war, Sartre's thought captivates Iris Murdoch & Philippa Foot has an ethical question

How four brilliant women brought philosophy back to life in Second-World-War Oxford.

The Four Brilliant Friends And Their Legacy

20220225

20220226 (R4)

Iris Murdoch, Mary Midgley, Philippa Foot and Elizabeth Anscombe, the quartet of brilliant thinkers and friends left behind enduring philosophical legacies. Here we find out how their work and theories shape and illuminate today's ethical thinking.

The life-long friends first met at Oxford University during WWII when many male students and tutors were conscripted. Taught by refugee scholars, conscientious objectors and a number of women tutors the four friends were profoundly affected by the unprecedented horrors of war, especially the Holocaust, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In response they set out to make sense of the disorder and despair that followed, and developed a philosophy relevant to every day life, which went on to shape contemporary ethical thinking.

We meet the quartet at the start of their friendship, as they embark on their lives as undergraduates, and later as they take up jobs in the post war period. We encounter the philosophers who inspired their thinking from the brilliant but chaotic, Ludwig Wittgenstein to the superstar thinker, Jean-Paul Sartre. Later, we witness their theorising and thought as it evolved over the decades. All the while, we are with them as they go about the stuff of everyday living, including the sometimes emotional and unconventional turmoil of their love lives.

Abridged by Katrin Williams

Produced by Elizabeth Allard

The lasting philosophical legacy left by the quartet of remarkable women.

How four brilliant women brought philosophy back to life in Second-World-War Oxford.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	Elizabeth Anscombe Takes A Stand	20220221	20220222 (R4)	Out of the despair of WWII four brilliant women friends brought philosophy back to life and laid the foundation of today's ethical thinking. Fenella Woolgar reads. Iris Murdoch, Mary Midgley, Philippa Foot and Elizabeth Anscombe studied philosophy together at Oxford University during WWII when many male students and tutors were conscripted. Taught by refugee scholars, conscientious objectors and a number of women tutors the four friends were profoundly affected by the unprecedented horrors of war, especially the Holocaust, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In response they set out to make sense of the disorder and despair that followed, and developed a philosophy relevant to every day life, which went on to shape contemporary ethical thinking. We meet the quartet at the start of their friendship, as they embark on their lives as undergraduates, and later as they take up jobs in the post war period. We encounter the philosophers who inspired their thinking from the brilliant but chaotic, Ludwig Wittgenstein to the superstar thinker, Jean-Paul Sartre. Later, we witness their theorising and thought as it evolved over the decades. All the while, we are with them as they go about the stuff of every day living, including the sometimes emotional and unconventional turmoil of their love lives. Metaphysical Animals is vividly and expertly written by philosophy lecturers, Clare Mac Cumhaill and Rachael Wiseman who took their inspiration from their own friendship with one of the key players in this remarkable and little known story, Mary Midgley. Abridged by Katrin Williams Produced by Elizabeth Allard The story of how four brilliant friends approached philosophy after WWII. How four brilliant women brought philosophy back to life in Second-World-War Oxford.
02	Learning In Wartime	20220222	20220223 (R4)	The quartet of brilliant women friends, Iris Murdoch, Mary Midgley, Philippa Foot and Elizabeth Anscombe, are inspired and challenged at Oxford University where the seeds of their philosophical thinking are sewn. Fenella Woolgar reads. As young women the four friends met and studied philosophy together at Oxford University during WWII when many male students and tutors were conscripted. Taught by refugee scholars, conscientious objectors and a number of women tutors the four were profoundly affected by the unprecedented horrors of war, especially the Holocaust, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In response they set out to make sense of the disorder and despair that followed, and developed a philosophy relevant to every day life, which went on to shape contemporary ethical thinking. We meet the quartet at the start of their friendship, as they embark on their lives as undergraduates, and later as they take up jobs in the post war period. We encounter the philosophers who inspired their thinking from the brilliant but chaotic, Ludwig Wittgenstein to the superstar thinker, Jean-Paul Sartre. Later, we witness their theorising and thought as it evolved over the decades. All the while, we are with them as they go about the stuff of everyday living , including the sometimes emotional and unconventional turmoil of their love lives. Metaphysical Animals is vividly and expertly written by philosophy lecturers, Clare Mac Cumhaill and Rachael Wiseman who took their inspiration from their own friendship with one of the key players in this remarkable and little known story, Mary Midgley. Abridged by Katrin Williams Produced by Elizabeth Allard The four friends find are inspired and challenged by their Oxford University tutors. How four brilliant women brought philosophy back to life in Second-World-War Oxford.
03	Love And War At Seaforth Place, London.	20220223	20220224 (R4)	For Iris Murdoch and Philippa Foot love leads to a messy tangle and bitter tears. Meanwhile, Wittgenstein's approach to philosophy inspires Elizabeth Anscombe. Read by Fenella Woolgar. Iris Murdoch, Mary Midgley, Philippa Foot and Elizabeth Anscombe studied philosophy together at Oxford University during WWII when many male students and tutors were conscripted. Taught by refugee scholars, conscientious objectors and a number of women tutors the four friends were profoundly affected by the unprecedented horrors of war, especially the Holocaust, Hiroshima and Nagadaki. In response they set out to make sense of the disorder and despair that followed, and developed a philosophy relevant to every day life, which went on to shape contemporary ethical thinking. We meet the quartet at the start of their friendship, as they embark on their lives as undergraduates, and later as they take up jobs in the post war period. We encounter the philosophers who inspired their thinking from the brilliant but chaotic, Ludwig Wittgenstein to the superstar thinker, Jean-Paul Sartre. Later, we witness their theorising and thought as it evolved over the decades. All the while, we are with them as they go about the stuff of ordinary life, including the sometimes emotional and unconventional turmoil of their love lives. Metaphysical Animals is vividly and expertly written by philosophy lecturers, Clare Mac Cumhaill and Rachael Wiseman who took their inspiration from their own friendship with one of the key players in this remarkable and little known story, Mary Midgley. Abridged by Katrin Williams Produced by Elizabeth Allard How four brilliant women brought philosophy back to life in Second-World-War Oxford.
04	Iris Murdoch Encounters Jean-paul Sartre	20220224	20220225 (R4)	Philippa Foot formulates an ethical and moral question; Sartre's existentialist thought captivates Irish Murdoch, meanwhile Elizabeth Anscombe and Mary Midgley engage in deep philosophical conversation, inspired by Wittgenstein's ground breaking approach. Fenella Woolgar reads. Iris Murdoch, Mary Midgley, Philippa Foot and Elizabeth Anscombe studied philosophy together at Oxford University during WWII when many male students and tutors were conscripted. Taught by refugee scholars, conscientious objectors and a number of women tutors the four friends were profoundly affected by the unprecedented horrors of war, especially the Holocaust, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In response they set out to make sense of the disorder and despair that followed, and developed a philosophy relevant to every day life, which went on to shape contemporary ethical thinking. We meet the quartet at the start of their friendship, as they embark on their lives as undergraduates, and later as they take up jobs in the post war period. We encounter the philosophers who inspired their thinking from the brilliant but chaotic, Ludwig Wittgenstein to the superstar thinker, Jean-Paul Sartre. Later, we witness their theorising and thought as it evolved over the decades. All the while, we are with them as they go about the stuff of everyday life, including the sometimes emotional and unconventional turmoil of their love lives. Metaphysical Animals is vividly and expertly written by philosophy lecturers, Clare Mac Cumhaill and Rachael Wiseman who took their inspiration from their own friendship with one of the key players in this remarkable and little known story, Mary Midgley. Abridged by Katrin Williams Produced by Elizabeth Allard Post-war, Sartre's thought captivates Iris Murdoch & Philippa Foot has an ethical question How four brilliant women brought philosophy back to life in Second-World-War Oxford.
05	The Four Brilliant Friends And Their Legacy	20220225	20220226 (R4)	Iris Murdoch, Mary Midgley, Philippa Foot and Elizabeth Anscombe, the quartet of brilliant thinkers and friends left behind enduring philosophical legacies. Here we find out how their work and theories shape and illuminate today's ethical thinking. The life-long friends first met at Oxford University during WWII when many male students and tutors were conscripted. Taught by refugee scholars, conscientious objectors and a number of women tutors the four friends were profoundly affected by the unprecedented horrors of war, especially the Holocaust, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In response they set out to make sense of the disorder and despair that followed, and developed a philosophy relevant to every day life, which went on to shape contemporary ethical thinking. We meet the quartet at the start of their friendship, as they embark on their lives as undergraduates, and later as they take up jobs in the post war period. We encounter the philosophers who inspired their thinking from the brilliant but chaotic, Ludwig Wittgenstein to the superstar thinker, Jean-Paul Sartre. Later, we witness their theorising and thought as it evolved over the decades. All the while, we are with them as they go about the stuff of everyday living, including the sometimes emotional and unconventional turmoil of their love lives. Metaphysical Animals is vividly and expertly written by philosophy lecturers, Clare Mac Cumhaill and Rachael Wiseman who took their inspiration from their own friendship with one of the key players in this remarkable and little known story, Mary Midgley. Abridged by Katrin Williams Produced by Elizabeth Allard The lasting philosophical legacy left by the quartet of remarkable women. How four brilliant women brought philosophy back to life in Second-World-War Oxford.