The Morality of Creativity: Virtue and Responsibility of Creatives

Abstract

Creativity is often perceived as “extra-moral” existing outside the realm of moral virtues and within aesthetics. However, creativity is also connected to ethics and extends beyond the domain of art. Many philosophers consider creativity as an intrinsically valuable character trait or virtue (Kieran, 2014; Zagzebski, 1996; Swanton, 2022). Other scholars, including Reilly and others, 2022 Qin Li, and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, 2014 emphasize the moral foundation of creativity in professions such as science and art. They argue that professional ethics, related to one's role, demonstrate how creativity significantly impacts society, particularly future generations, by shaping behavior, thought, and cultural development. Celebrations of influential individuals such as Albert Einstein, Wolfgang A. Mozart and others highlight society's respect and recognition for creativity and genius. These figures represent the pinnacle of human adaptability and success, illustrating the profound effects of creative genius on social progress (Simonton, 1994). Understanding the moral perspectives of undeniably creative individuals, both individually and collectively, further clarifies the link between world-shaping creativity and morality. In this sense, creativity can be considered not only a virtue of character but also a collective virtue, insofar as in some professional domains, creativity is employed as a collaborative enterprise. Moreover, it underscores that creative professionals possess a sense of goodness not only within their specific domain, such as orchestras and ensembles, but also towards the community they serve, reflecting a responsibility to their audience (Reilly and others 2022), thereby challenging the notion that artistic professions are exempt from moral responsibilities. Creativity can be understood as an individual or collective virtue, enabling us to learn from responsible creative subjects.