Morality by Words: Murdoch, Nussbaum, Rorty

Abstract

Despite the initial strangeness of grouping Iris Murdoch (a Platonist), MarthaNussbaum (an Aristotelian), and Richard Rorty (a pragmatist) together, thispaper will argue that these thinkers share a strong commitment to the moralpurport of literature. I will also show that their shared idea of moralengagement through literature interlocks the individual’s sense of self and theworld of others. After considering their accounts, I will conclude by raising thequestion of literature’s moral limits.

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