why do the big philosophical questions so often strike us as far-fetched and little to do with everyday life? in utopias, dolphins and computers, mary midgley shows that it need not be that way, and makes the case for philosophy as a necessary tool for addressing some of the most pressing questions facing contemporary society: how should we treat animals? why are we so confused about the value of education? what is at stake in feminism? why do we think intelligent computers will save us? exploring these issues and more, midgley unfailingly identifies what is distorting our judgement and helps us see more clearly the dramas unfolding around us.