Pragmatism, love, and morality

Triangular reflections in Carol Reed's The Third Man

Laurie Calhoun

pp. 117-128

in: Yvanka Raynova (ed), Ethik, Freiheit und Liebe, Labyrinth: An International Journal for Philosophy, Value Theory and Sociocultural Hermeneutics 16 (2), 2014.

Abstract

Carol Reed’s 1949 film The Third Man offers a richly metaphorical expression of the view that pragmatism, love, and morality are incommensurable perspectives from which to interpret the world. Harry Lime is a black market trader whose actions are constrained only by practical considerations. Anna Schmidt, Lime's former lover, understands what is morally wrong with what Lime does, but refuses to assist the police. In contrast, Holly Martins, an old friend from childhood, ultimately agrees to help trap Lime. These three protagonists occupy distinct conceptual worlds that color their interpretation of the others with whom they interact. In addition to illustrating the paradoxes of love and morality, The Third Man self-referentially expresses the idea that reality is far more complex than language could ever convey.

Cited authors

Reed Carol