Iris Murdoch and the Metaphysics of the Good

Iris Murdoch, renowned for her novels and philosophical works, delves into the profound questions of human freedom and determinism. Her novel 'The Sea, The Sea' won the Booker Prize, but her philosophical essays reveal her deeper engagement with moral phenomenology and the metaphysics of the good. At Oxford, philosophy shifted towards logical positivism, sidelining metaphysical inquiries into human nature and morality. Murdoch, alongside Elizabeth Anscombe and Philippa Foot, challenged this trend, emphasizing the need to revisit fundamental questions post-World War II.

In her essay 'The Idea of Perfection,' Murdoch explores how humans perceive themselves and the world, arguing that our evaluative outlook is not merely subjective. Analytical philosophy struggles with the moral dimension, often reducing value judgments to subjective preferences. Murdoch contends that true moral perception involves progress and depth, challenging the notion that value judgments are purely subjective.

Murdoch emphasizes love as central to moral understanding, not just in interpersonal ethics but as an epistemic principle. She argues that love enables us to see the world in its true colors, aligning with her Platonist view that the good is a real, external force. This contrasts with the prevailing view that goodness is subjective and dependent on individual will.

Murdoch critiques the modern separation of reason and will, highlighting the importance of attention in moral perception. She argues that moral choices are not isolated acts of will but are shaped by our habits of attention, which determine what we value. This continuous process of attention and valuation is where true moral effort lies.

Art, for Murdoch, is a window into moral life, illustrating the struggle to see reality clearly. Great art, like moral perception, requires discipline and the suppression of self-centeredness. Murdoch connects the appreciation of beauty in art with the pursuit of the good life, arguing that both involve a selfless attention to reality.

Despite her rejection of a traditional theistic view, Murdoch acknowledges the psychological utility of religious practices like prayer and sacraments. She sees them as means of focusing attention and cultivating love, essential for moral clarity. However, her reluctance to embrace a transcendent source of goodness leaves her argument open to critique.

Ultimately, Murdoch's work challenges the modern philosophical landscape, advocating for a return to metaphysical inquiry and a recognition of the centrality of love and attention in moral life.