Couverture de After Virtue
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Informations

Genre
Philosophy
Published21 octobre 2013
Recommendations17

About the author

Alasdair MacIntyre

Author

Alasdair Chalmers MacIntyre was a Scottish-American philosopher who contributed to moral and political philosophy as well as history of philosophy and theology. MacIntyre's After Virtue (1981) is one of the most important works of Anglophone moral and political philosophy in the 20th century. He was a senior research fellow at the Centre for Contemporary Aristotelian Studies in Ethics and Politics (CASEP) at London Metropolitan University, emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, and permanent senior distinguished research fellow at the Notre Dame de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture. During his lengthy academic career, he also taught at Brandeis University, Duke University, Vanderbilt University, and Boston University.

After Virtue

by Alasdair MacIntyre

Philosophy

Highly controversial when it was first published in 1981, Alasdair MacIntyre's After Virtue has since established itself as a landmark work in contemporary moral philosophy. In this book, MacIntyre sought to address a crisis in moral language that he traced back to a European Enlightenment that had made the formulation of moral principles increasingly difficult. In the search for a way out of this impasse, MacIntyre returns to an earlier strand of ethical thinking, that of Aristotle, who emphasised the importance of 'virtue' to the ethical life. More than thirty years after its original publication, After Virtue remains a work that is impossible to ignore for anyone interested in our understanding of ethics and morality today.

Books Like After Virtue

If you're looking for books similar to After Virtue, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.

Top 1
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Aristotle's seminal work on virtue and moral character that deeply influenced MacIntyre's thinking. The text explores the concept of eudaimonia (human flourishing) and how virtues contribute to a meaningful life. Aristotle argues that virtue is a practice developed through habit and rational reflection. He provides a systematic approach to understanding moral excellence and human potential. The work is a critical examination of what constitutes a good life.

Top 2
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The Republic

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A foundational work of Western philosophy exploring the nature of justice and the ideal society. Plato examines virtue through the lens of philosophical dialogue, presenting complex ethical ideas through systematic reasoning. The text challenges readers to consider the fundamental principles of moral and political life. It provides a deep exploration of human nature and societal organization. Like MacIntyre, Plato seeks to understand the core of ethical behavior and social structures.

Top 3
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Whose Justice? Which Rationality?

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MacIntyre's follow-up work that further develops the philosophical arguments introduced in After Virtue. The book examines competing traditions of moral reasoning and their historical contexts. MacIntyre explores how different philosophical traditions understand justice and rationality. He challenges universal claims of moral reasoning and emphasizes the importance of cultural and historical context. The text provides deeper insights into MacIntyre's philosophical approach.

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Dependent Rational Animals

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MacIntyre's exploration of human vulnerability and the importance of community in moral development. The book examines how human dependence shapes our understanding of virtue and ethical behavior. MacIntyre argues for a more relational approach to moral philosophy. He emphasizes the role of community and interdependence in human flourishing. The text provides a profound reflection on human nature and ethical practice.

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A foundational text in moral philosophy exploring the nature of ethical duty. Kant develops a systematic approach to moral reasoning based on rational principles. The book introduces the categorical imperative as a fundamental ethical framework. It provides a rigorous examination of moral obligation and human rationality. Kant's work represents a pivotal moment in philosophical ethics.

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Spheres of Justice

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The Right and the Good

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A classic work in moral philosophy exploring the nature of ethical obligations. Ross develops a nuanced theory of moral duties that goes beyond utilitarian and deontological approaches. The book examines how moral principles interact with specific contextual considerations. It provides a sophisticated framework for understanding moral reasoning. Ross's work offers deep insights into the complexity of ethical decision-making.

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