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Alasdair MacIntyre

After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory

"After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory" by Alasdair MacIntyre is a seminal work in moral philosophy that challenges the foundations of modern moral discourse. Published in 1981, the book has remained influential in academic circles and beyond, as it offers a trenchant critique of Enlightenment thinking and its impact on moral theory. MacIntyre argues that modern moral discourse is in a state of disarray, characterized by emotivism, the idea that moral judgments are merely expressions of personal preference. He contends that this state of affairs is the result of the collapse of the Aristotelian tradition of virtue ethics, which was supplanted by the Enlightenment project of grounding morality in reason alone. The book is divided into three parts. In the first part, MacIntyre diagnoses the problem of modern moral discourse and traces its historical roots. He argues that the Enlightenment project of grounding morality in reason alone is doomed to fail, as it cannot account for the social and historical contexts that shape moral judgments. In the second part, MacIntyre turns to Aristotle's virtue ethics as a viable alternative to modern moral theory. He argues that Aristotle's concept of virtue as a mean between extremes, and his emphasis on the role of habit and character in moral development, offer a more robust account of morality than Enlightenment thinking. In the third part, MacIntyre offers a vision of a new moral discourse that integrates the insights of Aristotelian virtue ethics with the historical and social contexts that shape moral judgments. He argues that this new discourse must be grounded in a shared understanding of the goods that constitute human flourishing, and that it must be embedded in a community of practice that supports moral development. "After Virtue" is a dense and challenging book, but it is also a rewarding one. MacIntyre's critique of modern moral discourse is incisive and persuasive, and his vision of a new moral discourse offers a way forward that is both intellectually rigorous and practically feasible. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in moral philosophy, and it remains a touchstone for debates about the nature of morality and its role in contemporary society...