7.5 Practices

Introduction to MacIntyre's Philosophy

Alasdair MacIntyre's focus: Anti-enlightenment political philosophy.
Emotivist culture effects: Lack of agreement on moral issues (e.g., drug legalization, gay rights, abortion) casts doubt on the efficacy of rational arguments.

Cognitive dissonance observed in society: People engage in rational arguments yet do not expect resolution of disagreements.
MacIntyre's Claim: Despite living in an emotivist culture, people are uncomfortable with its implications and seek deeper moral frameworks.

MacIntyre presents a dichotomy: Aristotle vs. Nietzsche.
- Nietzsche: Known for the concept of nihilism, where all values are perceived as subjective, leading to a worldview lacking inherent meaning.
- MacIntyre argues the Enlightenment's scientific justification of morality will ultimately lead to nihilistic conclusions similar to Nietzsche.
Discomfort in contemporary culture stems from value relativism, leading to the need for a return to Aristotelian ethics and perspectives.

Definition of a practice according to MacIntyre:
- A coherent and complex form of socially established cooperative human activity.
- Practices aim at achieving internal goods—value realized through participation in the practice.
Example: Entering a college class—students feel expectations and norms before actively participating; practices shape their behavior.

Virtue Definition: Acquired human qualities essential for achieving internal goods of practices.
MacIntyre emphasizes the importance of understanding the norms and expectations within each practice:
- E.g., Cheating in games undermines the internal goods of the practice.
Satisfaction comes from being valued by those knowledgeable within specific practices (e.g., recognition from fellow practitioners).

Humans have an inherent need for recognition from peers within their practice, leading to a mutual dependency.
Comparison with Hegel: Hegel’s philosophy highlights the need for recognition from equals as a measure of self-worth.

To achieve excellence within a practice, individuals must subordinate themselves to it, absorbing its norms.
Practices are historical and socially constructed, shaping individuals from birth, leading to a process of internalization.
Change in practices is possible, but it requires acknowledgment and understanding of existing traditions.

MacIntyre stresses the importance of historical context in shaping practices and values:
- Individuals are not free to choose practices without first understanding their origins.
- Change can occur, but it must respect the roots which shape current practices.
Embracing practices is essential to understanding how we live morally in contemporary society.