After Virtue - Classic Text | Alexandria
After Virtue by Alasdair MacIntyre, published in 1981, is a philosophical work that seeks to understand the moral crises of the modern world by investigating the historical development and subsequent fragmentation of moral discourse. It's a challenge to contemporary ethical theories, suggesting that modern morality lacks a rational basis and that attempts to find universal, impartial principles have largely failed. Might our modern understanding of ethics itself be flawed, rooted in a misunderstanding of our past?
The genesis of MacIntyre’s thesis can be seen emerging from late 20th-century anxieties regarding the rise of emotivism and the perceived relativistic nature of moral claims. While not a direct response to any single historical event, After Virtue reflects a broader intellectual climate characterized by disillusionment with grand narratives of progress and a re-evaluation of Enlightenment ideals. It posits a return to Aristotelian virtue ethics as a potential solution to the perceived incoherence of modern moral philosophy, arguing that any attempt to understand morality must begin with an understanding of its historical context.
Over time, After Virtue has become a cornerstone of contemporary virtue ethics, influencing theological, political, and sociological debates. While celebrated for its critique of modern moral theory and its call for a return to Aristotelian traditions, it has also faced criticisms for its historical interpretations and its proposed solution to the problems it identifies. Interpretations range from endorsements as a crucial diagnosis of modern moral failings to rejections as a nostalgic oversimplification of complex historical realities. Its continued relevance raises questions about the nature of moral progress, the role of tradition in ethical discourse, and the very possibility of a shared moral vocabulary.
Today, After Virtue remains a central text in philosophical ethics. Its legacy lies not only in its substantive arguments but also in its capacity to provoke ongoing debate about the foundations of morality in a rapidly changing world. Does MacIntyre's diagnosis accurately reflect the state of contemporary ethics, and more importantly, does his retrieval of Aristotelian virtue offer a viable path forward? These questions continue to fuel philosophical discourse and invite renewed reflection on the nature of virtue and the possibility of a coherent moral life.