Iris Murdoch argued that morality is objective and can be recognized as a fact.
Her novels explore the complexities of human relationships and moral dilemmas.
Love plays a central role in moral perception, helping us see the world more clearly and resist ego-driven fantasies.
Deep dives
The Legacy of Iris Murdoch: Novelist and Philosopher
Iris Murdoch, known for her novels and philosophy, explored the connection between morality and perception. She believed that morality was more than just a matter of personal taste and that there were objective standards of goodness. Her novels often featured characters struggling with moral dilemmas and the complexities of human relationships. Murdoch's philosophy emphasized the need to see the world as it truly is, beyond our own desires and fantasies. She also delved into themes of mental health, love, and the power of art. Though her ideas were often considered unfashionable in her time, they remain relevant today in discussing morality, identity, and the challenges of finding goodness in an imperfect world.
The Complexities of Iris Murdoch's Life and Early Influences
Born in Dublin in 1919, Iris Murdoch grew up in England and had a happy childhood filled with intellectual stimulation. Her parents encouraged her creative pursuits and she began writing at a young age. Attending Oxford, she immersed herself in philosophy and literature, where she formed friendships with influential thinkers like Elizabeth Anscombe and Mary Midgley. Murdoch's early life experiences, including her work during WWII and her travels across Europe, greatly shaped her philosophy and informed her exploration of morality and human nature in her novels.
The Intersection of Philosophy and Fiction in Murdoch's Novels
Iris Murdoch's novels serve as vehicles for exploring deep philosophical ideas. Through her characters' struggles and dilemmas, she examines themes such as fantasy and reality, ego and perception, and the complexities of love and morality. Her novels engage readers by challenging them to grapple with these moral questions and to question their own perceptions of the world. Murdoch's writing style exhibits a keen understanding of human nature and a skill for presenting complex philosophical ideas in relatable and accessible ways.
The Importance of Love and Seeing Properly in Murdoch's Philosophy
A central aspect of Iris Murdoch's philosophy is the role of love in moral perception. She argues that love helps us see others and the world more clearly, breaking through our ego-driven fantasies and allowing us to recognize the reality and goodness in others. Murdoch emphasizes the need to see the world as it truly is and to resist the temptation to mold it to fit our desires. Through love, we can strive to be morally better and develop a deeper understanding of the complex nature of human relationships.
Murdoch's Legacy and Relevance in the 21st Century
While Iris Murdoch's ideas were often overlooked during her lifetime, her philosophy and novels still resonate today. Her exploration of moral perception, the complexities of human nature, and the importance of love continue to be relevant topics for discussion. Murdoch's work challenges readers to reflect on their own moral understanding and to consider the implications of our perceptions and actions. Her legacy as a philosopher and novelist lies in her ability to encourage critical thinking and a deeper understanding of what it means to be good in an ever-changing world.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the author and philosopher Iris Murdoch (1919 - 1999). In her lifetime she was most celebrated for her novels such as The Bell and The Black Prince, but these are now sharing the spotlight with her philosophy. Responding to the horrors of the Second World War, she argued that morality was not subjective or a matter of taste, as many of her contemporaries held, but was objective, and good was a fact we could recognize. To tell good from bad, though, we would need to see the world as it really is, not as we want to see it, and her novels are full of characters who are not yet enlightened enough to do that.
With
Anil Gomes
Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy at Trinity College, University of Oxford
Anne Rowe
Visiting Professor at the University of Chichester and Emeritus Research Fellow with the Iris Murdoch Archive Project at Kingston University
And
Miles Leeson
Director of the Iris Murdoch Research Centre and Reader in English Literature at the University of Chichester
Producer: Simon Tillotson
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