The Sovereignty of Good - Classic Text | Alexandria
The Sovereignty of Good, a philosophical essay collection by Iris Murdoch, is not merely a thesis on morality, but an invitation to reconsider the very nature of human perception. It proposes that goodness, a concept often relegated to abstract theory, is the primary and magnetic force guiding our attention and understanding of the world. Published in 1970, these essays sought to challenge the prevailing existentialist and behaviorist trends in moral philosophy, which, according to Murdoch, neglected the importance of inner life and the reality of moral effort.
Murdoch's work stands as a stark contrast to the analytic and utilitarian philosophies dominant at the time. Thinkers like G.E.M. Anscombe were simultaneously questioning the foundations of modern ethical theory, highlighting a broader dissatisfaction with the direction of philosophy that Murdoch tapped into. However, Murdoch's approach, drawing heavily on literature and art, offered a richer, more psychologically nuanced perspective. The late 20th Century was facing crises of faith and meaning, something Murdoch directly tackles.
What is most compelling about The Sovereignty of Good is Murdoch’s insistence on the transformative power of attention. She argues that by steadily and intentionally focusing on what is truly real and valuable, we can gradually erode the self-centered fantasies that distort our moral vision. "Love is the extremely difficult realization that something other than oneself is real," she famously wrote, encapsulating her radical view. The book presents a challenge. Is our perception as objective as we believe? Are we truly free, or are we subtly, unknowingly, directed by our subconscious, and can we affect that direction through moral action?
Ultimately, The Sovereignty of Good remains a provocative and essential contribution to ethical thought. It challenges us to confront not only our individual moral responsibilities, but also the very filters through which we experience the world. In an era increasingly preoccupied with the self, Murdoch’s vision offers a timeless reminder: that true freedom and fulfillment are found not in the assertion of the ego, but in the humble recognition of a reality that exists beyond it. What if actively directing our gaze towards 'good' could reshape not only our actions but also our very perception of reality?