Conclusion

Abstract

Abstract Is Murdoch a political thinker? Is she a notable political theorist? This book answers ‘yes’ to both these questions. The chapter reviews preceding chapters, highlighting how Murdoch in her fiction and non-fiction offers insightful analysis and striking images of politics and recognizes the impact of political developments in the twentieth century. She relates politics to other activities, such as art and philosophy, which can provide guidance and insight on political matters. In her early career she is original in diagnosing issues for socialism and highlighting how theory can provide an imaginative focus for socialism. In her later career, her philosophical recognition of the significance of political axioms, shows how political morality can be understood as separate from personal morals. The impact of politics in the twentieth century is shown in her novels, where the wave of post-war migration into the UK is represented by multiple characters in her novels hailing from overseas. Moreover, her novels explore the nature of sexuality and the regulation of sexuality in the post-war world. Murdoch takes on the thorny and difficult issue of the Holocaust, presenting different ways in which it might be understood. Overall, Murdoch is revealed as a notable political theorist, whose political insight sheds light on post-war politics. The originality and significance of Murdoch’s appreciation of politics is shown by a comparison of her ideas with those of Arendt, Weil, and Oakeshott.