All art is a struggle to be, in a particular sort of way

Yes — that quote is correctly attributed to Iris Murdoch, the British writer and philosopher, best known for her novels such as The Sea, The Sea, The Bell, and The Black Prince. She was also a noted philosopher with an interest in ethics and the nature of morality.

“All art is a struggle to be, in a particular sort of way, virtuous.”
— Iris Murdoch

Context and Background

Iris Murdoch’s quote reflects her deep philosophical views on art and morality. She often explored the connection between ethics and art, suggesting that the act of creating art is not just about aesthetic pleasure but about the moral struggle of the artist. For Murdoch, art is a way for individuals to confront moral dilemmas, explore virtues, and express self-awareness. The artist's struggle to create becomes a search for virtue in the face of personal and social challenges.

Murdoch believed that the act of creating or engaging with art allows one to examine and strive for qualities like truth, love, selflessness, and understanding, all of which are central to her philosophical thinking on human goodness.

Interpretation

• “All art is a struggle to be, in a particular sort of way, virtuous” — Murdoch suggests that creating art involves more than just technical skill or emotional expression; it’s a moral endeavor. Artists, in their work, are striving to embody virtue in ways that are unique to their medium and style.

• The “struggle” emphasizes that the pursuit of virtue in art is not easy or straightforward, but requires deep reflection and engagement with ethical questions.

• “Virtuous” — in this context, refers to the idea that art should reflect or provoke moral reflection, inviting the viewer or creator to engage with goodness, self-examination, and ethical action.

Summary

Iris Murdoch’s quote encapsulates her belief that art is not only a form of expression but also a moral pursuit. She suggests that artists, in their work, strive to embody or explore virtue in a way that challenges both themselves and their audience to reflect on what it means to be good and how we navigate moral complexities. Art, for Murdoch, becomes a struggle for ethical clarity and self-awareness, a theme that deeply influenced both her writing and her philosophical work.