Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
After Virtue summary
Brief summary
After Virtue by Alasdair MacIntyre is a thought-provoking book that explores the decline of moral reasoning in modern society and offers a compelling argument for the revival of virtue ethics as a way to address this crisis.
Topics
Table of Contents
After Virtue
Summary of key ideas
Understanding Virtue and Its Disappearance
In After Virtue, Alasdair MacIntyre delves into the history of moral philosophy, seeking to understand the concept of virtue. He begins by highlighting the Aristotelian approach to ethics, where virtues are understood as dispositions that enable individuals to live well. MacIntyre argues that this understanding of virtue was lost during the Enlightenment period, replaced by a fragmented and subjective notion of morality.
He attributes this loss to the failure of the Enlightenment project, which aimed to establish rational foundations for morality. MacIntyre argues that the Enlightenment's focus on individual rights and autonomy resulted in a moral landscape devoid of shared values and a common understanding of the good life. This moral confusion, he contends, is the root cause of many modern societal problems.
The Emptiness of Modern Moral Language
MacIntyre further explores the consequences of the loss of virtue by examining modern moral language. He argues that the terms we commonly use to discuss moral matters, such as 'rights' and 'justice', have been stripped of their original meaning and are now mere remnants of their former selves. According to MacIntyre, this linguistic decay has left us with a moral vocabulary that is incoherent and incapable of providing meaningful guidance.
He illustrates this point by examining debates in contemporary ethics, where opposing parties often talk past each other due to differing, unarticulated moral frameworks. MacIntyre suggests that without a shared understanding of virtue, moral discourse becomes a battleground of conflicting opinions, each lacking a solid foundation.
The Quest for a New Virtue Ethics
Despite his bleak assessment of the current state of morality, MacIntyre remains hopeful. He proposes a return to virtue ethics, emphasizing the need to reconnect moral concepts with their historical and cultural contexts. He argues that only by understanding the narrative traditions from which our moral concepts arise can we hope to revive a meaningful moral discourse.
MacIntyre advocates for a community-based approach to morality, where individuals are viewed as part of a larger narrative, shaped by their roles within their communities. He suggests that such an approach would allow for a more nuanced understanding of moral concepts and a shared vision of the good life.
The Role of Tradition and Practice
In the latter part of After Virtue, MacIntyre delves deeper into the role of tradition in shaping our moral understanding. He argues that traditions, understood as shared practices and beliefs, provide the necessary context for the development and transmission of virtues. Without a connection to tradition, he contends, our moral concepts become empty and arbitrary.
MacIntyre's call for a return to tradition is not a call for blind adherence to the past. Instead, he emphasizes the need for critical engagement with tradition, advocating for a process of 'internal critique' where we continuously re-evaluate and refine our moral concepts in light of our historical and cultural contexts.
Conclusion: The Quest for Virtue Continues
In conclusion, After Virtue presents a powerful critique of modern moral philosophy, emphasizing the need for a return to virtue ethics and a reconnection with our moral traditions. MacIntyre's work challenges us to look beyond individual rights and subjective preferences and consider the role of community, tradition, and practice in shaping our moral lives. Ultimately, he argues, the quest for virtue is an ongoing process, one that requires a deep understanding of our moral history and a commitment to shared narratives of the good life.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is After Virtue about?
After Virtue by Alasdair MacIntyre challenges the prevailing moral philosophy of our time and offers a new approach to ethics. MacIntyre argues that the Enlightenment project of justifying morality through reason alone has failed, leaving us in a moral crisis. He proposes a return to Aristotelian virtue ethics as a way to revive moral discourse and restore a sense of moral goodness in our society.
After Virtue Review
After Virtue by Alasdair MacIntyre (1981) explores the decline of moral philosophy and the search for ethical grounding in modern society. Here's why this book is definitely worth your time:
- Provides a critical analysis of contemporary moral concepts, shedding light on the challenges of ethical relativism.
- Proposes a revolutionary approach to ethics, advocating for a return to virtue ethics as a solution to the moral confusion of our times.
- Engages readers in a philosophical exploration that is intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking, offering a fresh perspective on morality in the modern world.
Who should read After Virtue?
Individuals interested in moral philosophy and the concept of virtue
Readers who want to understand the challenges of modern ethical theories
Those seeking a critical analysis of contemporary moral and political discourse
Categories with After Virtue
Book summaries like After Virtue
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
After Virtue FAQs
What is the main message of After Virtue?
After Virtue argues for the revival of virtue ethics in response to modern moral relativism.
How long does it take to read After Virtue?
Reading time for After Virtue varies by reader. Our Blinkist summary can be read in a fraction of the time.
Is After Virtue a good book? Is it worth reading?
After Virtue is a compelling read, offering insights into moral philosophy that remain relevant today.
Who is the author of After Virtue?
The author of After Virtue is Alasdair MacIntyre.
What to read after After Virtue?
If you're wondering what to read next after After Virtue, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
- The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama
- On Being by Peter Atkins
- The Biology of Belief by Bruce H. Lipton
- Buddha’s Brain by Rick Hanson
- Choose Yourself by James Altucher
- Going Clear by Lawrence Wright
- The Power of No by James Altucher and Claudia Azula Altucher
- The Demon-Haunted World by Carl Sagan