Philosophy by Postcard is a project that marks the centenary of the birth of Iris Murdoch. It is an international public philosophy event to mark Iris Murdoch’s centenary. Irish postal services An Post have issued a commemorative stamp to honour the Dublin-born, Booker Prize winning writer and philosopher. They are working with UK-based philosophers -Dr Rachael Wiseman (Department of Philosophy and the Institute for Irish Studies, University of Liverpool) and Dr Clare Mac Cumhaill (Department of Philosophy, Durham University) on this project. The Institute for Irish Studies have provided funding and will host a legacy exhibition in Liverpool in 2020.
Members of the public are invited to send a question for a philosopher on a postcard to Iris Murdoch’s birthplace in Blessington Street, Dublin. 100 postcards will be selected and sent to 100 philosophers around the globe, who will answer in Murdoch’s stead. The answers will be sent back on a specially commissioned artist designed postcard with the An Post commemorative stamp, all answers and questions will be documented and made public.
Artists for the postcards include Ailbhe Ní Bhriain, Aleana Egan and Ameila O’Donnell, winner of the Iris Murdoch Prize at the Irish Young Philosopher Award. Belfast artist Trina Hobson was commissioned by the Institute for Irish Studies through ArtisAnn Gallery to provide artwork for one of the postcards.
If you wish to take part, please send your question on a postcard to
Iris Murdoch, Blessington Street, An Post, PO Box 1919, FREEPOST*, Dublin 1, Republic of Ireland.
Ensure you send your postcard before 30 Sept 2019 to be in with a chance of receiving a reply. Please note that international postcards are welcome, but Freepost is only applicable within Ireland. For more information and inspiration go to www.philosophybypostcard.com.
There will be an exhibition of the artist-designed postcards at the Templebar Gallery, Dublin, 27–29 Sept 2019, along with a final chance to write a postcard. The exhibition will include talks and activities for children and adults.