On the Occasion of His Passing
Dr. Reza Gholami
Introduction
In today’s complex world of economics, technology, and culture, the question of ethics—its role and importance—has become more urgent than ever. While modernity has brought challenges to ethical thinking, it shouldn’t be seen as the sole cause of moral decline. Countries like those in Scandinavia and Japan show that modern societies can foster ethics, promote social justice, and build strong communities. Still, there’s a need to rethink ethics beyond individualism and rule-based thinking.
The ideas of Alasdair MacIntyre, despite some flaws, open a window to rediscover ethical traditions and focus on virtues in human life. This note, written in his honor, explores his thoughts critically and highlights why thinkers like him matter in our time.
Why MacIntyre Matters
Alasdair MacIntyre, a philosopher known for works like After Virtue, is important because he dared to question the assumptions of modern life. He argued that modern ethics has lost its roots in historical traditions, leading to confusion about what morality means. MacIntyre didn’t just point out problems—he offered a solution: returning to the idea of virtues, where people are seen as part of shared stories and communities.
MacIntyre’s importance lies in his call to reflect on who we are and how we live. In a world where technology, consumerism, and individualism can overshadow human values, we need thinkers like him to:
- Offer deep insights: They help us see beyond the dominant trends of modern life.
- Revive conversations: They connect tradition with modernity, creating space for meaningful discussions across generations and cultures.
- Inspire action: By focusing on virtues and community, they encourage us to live more responsibly and meaningfully.
We need thinkers like MacIntyre because they remind us that ethics isn’t just an idea—it’s a living force that shapes our societies and identities.
Rethinking Ethics: From Broken Meanings to New Stories
MacIntyre believed that modern ethics has lost its way by breaking away from historical traditions. Drawing on ancient Greek ideas of virtue, he saw humans as beings shaped by their communities and shared stories. Though his views have faced criticism, they offer a valuable idea: we can rebuild our moral identity by reconnecting with tradition and community.
However, we shouldn’t assume that modernity has destroyed ethics. Success stories from places like Finland, with its cooperative education system, or Japan, with its strong sense of social responsibility, show that ethics can thrive in modern settings if supported by strong institutions and social values.
Virtue, Tradition, and Action: A Conversation with MacIntyre
Despite some criticism of MacIntyre’s historical views or his pessimism, his focus on three key ideas stands out:
- Virtue: Inner qualities that help us live well, both individually and together.
- Tradition: A way to understand values through history and reason.
- Social action: The space where we grow morally through our interactions with others.
These ideas exist in many philosophical and cultural traditions. Engaging with them can help us build a richer, more dynamic approach to ethics. MacIntyre invites us to think about how to cultivate virtues in our diverse, multicultural world.
Conclusion: Reviving Ethics in a Diverse World
Ethics is deeply human, shaped by history and society. Reviving it today means moving beyond the false divide of tradition versus modernity. MacIntyre, despite his flaws, inspires us to reflect on human values and rebuild connections between individuals, communities, and meaning. Thinkers like him, with their deep critiques and constructive ideas, push us to create spaces for virtue and responsibility. What matters isn’t clinging to the past or blindly embracing modernity—it’s building a future where ethics is a living, vibrant force for humanity and society.