Interrupting the conversation: Donald MacKinnon, wartime tutor of Anscombe, Midgley, Murdoch and Foot

Abstract Elizabeth Anscombe, Mary Midgley, Iris Murdoch and Philippa Foot all studied at Oxford University during the Second World War. One of their wartime tutors was Donald MacKinnon. This paper gives a broad overview MacKinnon's philosophical outlook as it developing this time. Four talks from between 1938 1941—‘And Son Man That Thou Visiteth Him’ (1938), ‘What Is Metaphysical Statement?’ (1940), ‘The Function Philosophy in Education’ (1941) ‘Revelation Social Justice’ (1941)—give foretaste conception moral philosophy that he later articulated A Study Ethical Theory (1957). We identify aspects his unusual treatment method likely shaped teaching. trace influence work Foot, whom with him Trinity Term 1940 until finals 1942. In case though she briefly student—he taught her Plato—she MacKinnon moved shared intellectual circles, there is reason to think some forces also hers. The sketch we offer incomplete—in particular, are not able do justice explicitly theological writings—but hope achieve three things. First, go way towards indicating importance teacher understanding better-known pupils. Second, introduce philosopher for teaching philosophy, practical ethics metaphysical theory were deeply entwined. Third, reflect on relationship between, one hand, practice significance metaphysics and, other, view role nature learning.