Iris Murdoch’s Ontological Argument (MGM Chapter 13)

Andrew Gleeson

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-18967-9_13

Iris Murdoch’s Ontological Argument (MGM Chapter 13)

Andrew Gleeson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Iris Murdoch develops a version of the Ontological Argument as a moral argument for the existence of a transcendent and perfect Platonic Good. I argue that her version of the argument over-emphasises moral goodness as a distant and intangible ideal to which we are inevitably attracted, and towards which we may progress, but which, apart from occasional revelations in saintly lives and great art, is normally only available in glimpses and intimations, and which remains mysterious. The argument is better construed as concerning the moral reality of human beings as sacred or inviolable, and the moral demands this makes upon us—a reality that is proximate, palpable, inescapable and highly familiar.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Reading Iris Murdoch's Metaphysics as a Guide to Morals
Editors	Nora Hamalainen, Gillian Dooley
Place of Publication	Cham, Switzerland
Publisher	Palgrave
Chapter	13
Pages	195-208
Number of pages	14
Edition	First
ISBN (Electronic)	978-3-030-18967-9
ISBN (Print)	978-3-030-18966-2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18967-9_13
Publication status	Published - 2019

Keywords

Iris Murdoch
Morality
Religion and philosophy

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AB - Iris Murdoch develops a version of the Ontological Argument as a moral argument for the existence of a transcendent and perfect Platonic Good. I argue that her version of the argument over-emphasises moral goodness as a distant and intangible ideal to which we are inevitably attracted, and towards which we may progress, but which, apart from occasional revelations in saintly lives and great art, is normally only available in glimpses and intimations, and which remains mysterious. The argument is better construed as concerning the moral reality of human beings as sacred or inviolable, and the moral demands this makes upon us—a reality that is proximate, palpable, inescapable and highly familiar.

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KW - Morality

KW - Religion and philosophy

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A2 - Dooley, Gillian

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CY - Cham, Switzerland

ER -

Iris Murdoch’s Ontological Argument (MGM Chapter 13)

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