Beyond good and evil. An analysis of works of Haruki Murakami

GUILLERMO LARIGUET

Intersexiones. Revista de producción mestiza

Universidad de Vigo

Lugar: Vigo; Año: 2014 vol. 05 p. 2 - 17

2171-1879

In this paper I explore the link between literature and moral philosophy by analyzing the works of Haruki Murakami. I point out two particular features of his work. The first shows the existence of everyday realities affected by extraordinary events occurring in parallel realities. The second shows that, owing to extraordinary conditions, moral perceptions and judgments are altered in way that demands philosophical analysis. I explore several interpretative alternatives regarding what moral conception underlies Murakami´s work. I focus in particular on the question of what it means to be moral in a world inhabited by subjects with extraordinary powers. As these subjects tend to act outside the realm of the law. I question whether the morality of these subjects is compatible with the morality underlying the Rule of Law.