This book is an eclectic mix of essays that reposition Murdoch's work in relation to current debates in philosophy, theology, literature, gender and sexuality, and authorship. The essays refine, develop or contest previous readings, and blur the distinction between liberal humanist and theoretical positions, suggesting negotiations between them.

Develops current Murdoch scholarship by including diverse theoretical readings 2 Features internationally-recognized scholars at the cutting-edge of Murdoch studies, including literary critics, theologians and philosophers 3 Timely - interest in Murdoch has continued to increase since her death in 1999 (helped by the film Iris ) 4 Repositions Murdoch as a writer in tune with contemporary ideas in literary criticism 5 Contributes to current debates on the contest between liberal humanist and theoretical readings of texts 6 Includes a useful 'Repositioning Murdoch' section which shows how Murdoch is perceived in relation to contemporary philosophical trends

Acknowledgements Notes on Contributors Notes on References and Abbreviations Preface; P.J.Conradi Introduction: 'A Large Hall of Reflection'; A.Rowe PART 1: REINSTATING THEOLOGY Reconsidering Murdoch's Moral Philosophy and Theology; M.Antonaccio 'All the World Must be Religious': Iris Murdoch's Ontological Arguments; S.Mulhall Iris Murdoch's Deconstructive Theology; S.Ramanathan PART 2: RECONSIDERING MORAL PHILOSOPHY Murdoch on the Impossibility of Moral Scepticism; E.Brugmans The Ethics of Self-Concern; S.Vice Virtue, Ethics, Self-Regard and The Sovereignty of Good; C.Mole PART 3: REVISITING 'THE SAINT AND THE ARTIST' The Ascetic Impulse in Iris Murdoch's Thought or The Saint and The Artist Revisited; M.Antonaccio The Curse of The Bell : The Ethics and Aesthetics of Narrative; B.Nicol PART 4: RE-READING LITERATURE Saint Iris? Murdoch and the Modern Literary Canon; N.Turner Houses of Fiction: Iris Murdoch and Henry James; P.Martin Accepting the 'Other': Iris Murdoch and Carol Shields; A.Ramon 'Policemen in Search of a Team': Iris Murdoch's The Black Prince and Ian McEwan's Atonement; A.Rowe PART 5: RENEGOTIATING GENDER, SEXUALITY AND FEMINISM Plato, Foucault and Beyond: Ethics, Beauty and Bisexuality in The Good Apprentice; T.Grimshaw Michele Le Doeuff and the Philosophical Imaginary; M.Altorf PART 6: REINVESTIGATING NEGATIVE CAPABILITY Iris Murdoch, Freud and Negative Capability; P.J.Conradi Alzheimer's Amyloid Analogy: Disease Depicted Through A Word Child; R.Isaacson Index