Virtue in Practice and Theory: An Exploration of MacIntyre's Ethics

Abstract

Through this examination we can see why Maclntyre's theory works well today. Were the fundamental rules and principles of the Enlightenment project to be understood as its necessary foundation, Maclntyre's moral theory would be helpful in making moral statements in light of Nietzscheism, increasing the certainty with which we make moral judgments, and encouraging moral excellence beyond a mere obedience of the rules. Yet, Maclntyre's attempt to establish standards of moral excellence above and beyond the rules of fair play overlooks the tremendous amounts of effort and philosophical debate it took to establish those rules in the first place. Indeed, only now is society at a point where restrictive rules and rights have begun to lose their usefulness. It is precisely because we have such a high regard today for the basic rights of individuals that we can redirect out philosophical focus toward the needs of the community and towards virtue. [From Conclusion]