I was first introduced to the works of Iris Murdoch as a teenager, but wasn’t aware of her standing as a philosopher until many years later — which might be the case for other people too. 

She had written a book on Satre (Sartre: Romantic Rationalist) in 1953 but it is her work in moral philosophy, such as The Sovereignty of Good (1970), and further writings that drew on British linguistic philosophy and continental existentialism, where she made her name in the field. The influence of her writing can be seen in modern philosophers such as Richard Rorty, Charles Taylor and John McDowell. 

There’s a number of resources available, including her correspondence to friends, but her novels are particularly enjoyable and the most accessible way to read her work. This is why her discussion on philosophy and literature is included in the further resources.

Further Resources:

Iris Murdoch Archive

Interview in Paris Review: Iris Murdoch, The Art of Fiction No. 117

The Guardian, Bidisha: The moral brilliance of Iris Murdoch – The novelist and philosopher Iris Murdoch took on the most profound moral questions that we ordinary creatures grapple with.

New York Times, Anatole Broyard: About Books; Iris Murdoch Makes It Fun to Be Smart