Alasdair MacIntyre

Definition

Alasdair MacIntyre is a prominent Scottish philosopher known for his work in moral and political philosophy, particularly in the realm of virtue ethics. He is most famous for his book 'After Virtue,' where he critiques modern moral philosophy and emphasizes the importance of virtues and character in ethical decision-making. MacIntyre argues that understanding virtues requires a historical context and a connection to community practices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. MacIntyre believes that modern society has lost a coherent moral framework, leading to a fragmentation of ethical discourse.
2. In 'After Virtue,' he argues that virtues are rooted in traditions and practices of specific communities, rather than being universally applicable.
3. He distinguishes between two types of virtues: internal goods, which are valuable for their own sake within a practice, and external goods, which serve as rewards for success in that practice.
4. MacIntyre critiques emotivism, the idea that moral statements are merely expressions of personal feelings, suggesting it leads to relativism and confusion about moral claims.
5. His work encourages a return to Aristotelian ethics, focusing on the development of character through engagement with community practices.

Review Questions

• How does Alasdair MacIntyre's view on virtues challenge contemporary ethical theories?
  • MacIntyre challenges contemporary ethical theories by arguing that they often overlook the importance of community and historical context in understanding virtues. He contends that modern moral philosophies tend to be abstract and disconnected from real-life practices. By highlighting that virtues cannot be understood in isolation from the communities that cultivate them, he calls for a reevaluation of how we approach ethics today.
• What role does narrative identity play in MacIntyre's philosophy, and how does it relate to the development of virtues?
  • Narrative identity is central to MacIntyre's philosophy as it emphasizes that individuals understand themselves through the stories they tell about their lives. This perspective suggests that our identities are shaped by our relationships and experiences within a community. Thus, developing virtues is not just about adhering to moral rules but involves engaging with one's narrative within a social context, allowing individuals to cultivate character through shared practices and traditions.
• Evaluate MacIntyre's critique of emotivism and its implications for moral discourse in modern society.
  • MacIntyre's critique of emotivism highlights its inadequacy in providing a solid foundation for moral discourse, suggesting it reduces ethical claims to mere expressions of personal feelings. This approach leads to relativism, where moral disagreements become trivialized as subjective opinions rather than meaningful discussions. His arguments imply that without a shared understanding of virtues rooted in community practices, contemporary society struggles with moral confusion, emphasizing the need to revive communal narratives to restore coherence in ethical discussions.

Related terms

Virtue Ethics:

An ethical theory that emphasizes the role of character and virtues in moral philosophy, rather than rules or consequences.

Narrative Identity: The concept that individuals construct their identities and values through the stories they tell about their lives, which is essential to understanding MacIntyre's ideas.

Communitarianism: A philosophical viewpoint that emphasizes the interests and values of communities over individualism, aligning with MacIntyre's views on the significance of community in ethical practices.