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Calling Young Poets!
What do philosophy and poetry have in common? How can poetry and philosophy help us to address climate change and think about the global emergency of COVID-19? Rooted in the work of Mary Midgley, our illustrated worksheets explore how philosophical thinking can help us to reflect on the pandemic, climate change, society and friendship. If you’re inspired, become a Midgley Young Poet and send us a poem to be added to the Midgley Archive in Durham University.
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In September 2019 - on what would have been her 100th birthday - Midgley's erstwhile biscuit tin left Newcastle-Upon-Tyne on a round-the-world voyage. The Tin journeyed from UK to Canada to USA to Japan before the Covid-19 pandemic took hold. It is now in lockdown in Tokyo and will carry on with its journey when it is safe. In the meantime our philosophers are reflecting on what we can learn from Midgley's writings during this time of Covid - hover over the biscuits below to find the Covid-19 Reflections. Check back for updates.

Watch...
Notes from a Biscuit Tin & Young Poets: Poetry and Philosophy for Confusing Times
In October 2020 we teamed up with Durham Book Festival to host a discussion between poet Gillian Allnutt, philosopher-musician Jennifer Judge, and philosopher István Zárdai to explore philosophy, poetry and story.
Next stop...
The voyage of the tin
Mary dispensed wit, wisdom and ginger snaps to her visitors over many decades. In this spirit, for 12 months, in 12 locations across the world, 12 conversations will take place between philosophers and poets on themes from Midgley's work.
The conversation will begin with the poet reading a commissioned poem on the theme. Find out about the poets, philosophers and conversations happening near you. You can also find month-by-month readings on the themes.

Explore the locations
After its world voyage, the Biscuit Tin will return to the Midgley Archive at Durham University for our final event.
The route
More from In Parenthesis
To celebrate the centenary of the birth of Iris Murdoch, An Post are releasing a commemorative stamp of this iconic Dublin-born philosopher and author. An Post have partnered with In Parenthesis to bring you Philosophy by Postcard, a public philosophy project introducing #slowphilosophy and celebrating Iris Murdoch.
Postcard and font by Deborah Bower
"My postcard channels the spirit of two friends – Iris Murdoch and Mary Midgley. I came up with the piece – which is also a downloadable font! - while researching in the Midgley Archives at Durham University. There were several letters in the archive that Iris had written to Mary discussing the goings-on of their daily lives and, of course, philosophy. I loved deciphering Iris' handwriting and the uniqueness of both their handwriting as they exchanged ideas."