Alasdair Chalmers MacIntyre (b.1929) is a Scottish-American philosopher known for his contributions to moral and political philosophy. As one of the great moral thinkers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, he has been a critical voice against the fragmentation of moral discourse in modern society, advocating for a coherent and tradition-based approach to ethics.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, MacIntyre was educated at the University of London and the University of Oxford. He has held academic positions at prestigious institutions such as the University of Notre Dame, Duke University, and Brandeis University.
MacIntyre’s work often centers on the history of ethics, the role of virtues, and the critique of modernity. His most influential book, After Virtue (1981,) argues for a return to Aristotelian ethics, critiquing contemporary moral philosophy and proposing a virtue-based ethical framework. This seminal work revitalized interest in virtue ethics and sparked extensive academic debate.
Other notable publications include Whose Justice? Which Rationality? (1988,) where MacIntyre examines the historical and cultural contexts of different moral traditions, and Three Rival Versions of Moral Enquiry (1990,) which explores conflicting approaches to moral philosophy. In Dependent Rational Animals (1999,) he integrates insights from biology and philosophy to discuss human vulnerability and the necessity of communal support.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Alasdair MacIntyre
A striking feature of moral and political argument in the modern world is the extent to which it is innovators, radicals, and revolutionaries who revive old doctrines, while their conservative and reactionary opponents are the inventors of new ones.
—Alasdair MacIntyre
Topics: Principles
Leave a Reply