The Ethics of Vision: Iris Murdoch on Moral Perception

Abstract

A modern development in contemporary moral philosophy is Iris Murdoch’s distinctive view of the moral self. Murdoch seeks to address what she perceives as the shortcomings of traditional ethics, which often centers on the will. Drawing inspiration from art appreciation, she argues that aesthetic perception is crucial for developing a moral regard for others. According to Murdoch, a moral person becomes truly oriented towards others through the practice of aesthetic perception, which involves the process of "unselfing" or shedding the ego. Unlike the Aristotelian focus on the rewards of virtue, Murdoch identifies self-interest, or the "ego," as the primary barrier to accurately perceiving others and, consequently, to acting virtuously towards them—since the ego is incapable of love. Murdoch’s view of virtue is demanding, advocating for the refinement of moral vision as an end in itself. This conception of virtue aligns more closely with the sanctity of a saint rather than the hero’s excellence. However, the key question arises: Is an aesthetic understanding of goodness in others is sufficient foundation for knowledge about virtue? To explore this, the article examines Murdoch’s method of achieving aesthetic "seeing" through the cultivation of a “virtuous consciousness.” This process, rooted in empathic experience, offers what Murdoch sees as the only genuine way to practice virtue towards others.