Single Idea 22699

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / C. Artistic Issues / 7. Art and Morality]

Full Idea

Noël Carroll's moderate moralism maintains that some moral defects in artworks are aesthetic defects, and some moral virtues are aesthetic merits.

Gist of Idea

Moderate moralism says moral qualities can sometimes also be aesthetic qualities

Source

Daniel Jacobson (Ethical Criticism and the Vice of Moderation [2006], 'How moderate')

Book Reference

'Aesthetics and the Phil of Art (debates)', ed/tr. Kieran,Matthew [Blackwell 2004], p.345


A Reaction

I'm beginning to think that moralist critics are confusing morality and wisdom. We don't admire novels for hammering on about goodness. We admire their insight into characters and actions, of which the most interesting aspects happen to be moral.

Related Idea

Idea 22690 'Moralism' says all aesthetic merits are moral merits [Gaut]