Feared and admired in equal measure, Mary Midgley has carefully yet profoundly challenged many of the scientific and moral orthodoxies of the twentieth century.

The Essential Mary Midgley is a must-have anthology of the very best of Midgley's philosophy, whose work is described by the Financial Times as “common sense philosophy of the highest order”. Incorporating carefully selected excerpts from Mary Midgley's bestselling books, including Wickedness, Beast and Man, Science and Poetry, and The Myths We Live By, this second edition includes some of her best work from the last twenty or so years, including The Solitary Self, Are you an Illusion?, and What Is Philosophy For?

The Essential Mary Midgley presents a superb introduction to her work, covering the topics that she returned to frequently, such as the roots of human nature, reason and imagination, the myths of science, the importance of holism in thinking about science and the environment and the nature of the self.

Expertly edited and introduced by David Midgley, this second edition includes a new Foreword by Rachael Wiseman.