Essay Questions

What is MacIntyre's assessment of the problem with the state of morality in modernity?

MacIntyre argues that modern society has become morally illiterate. We have systems of morality, but its foundation, the concept of a telos for man, is a lost concept. He uses the analogy of a science-fiction scenario where a society rebels against its scientists right before an apocalyptic event strikes the world, and all that remains of science is a random assortment of advanced technologies. Just as this society could piece together a system of science but one without a foundation grounded in scientific principles, systems of morality have existed into modernity but without the base of teleology to stand on.

Nietzsche correctly assessed the problem with modernity when he claimed that the moral and ethical systems of society seem arbitrary and are based on nothing, but he took that premise to mean that morality is really an arbitrary and meaningless concept. The truth, argues MacIntyre, is that people once held the key to morality, but the Enlightenment's destruction of the "medieval" value of the purpose of man has led to this moral erosion. The foundation of morality is still existent, but it has long been lost to society.

How does he suggest that educated readers act in light of this problem?

MacIntyre argues that we are living in a "dark age" of morality, where moral illiteracy runs rampant and people don't know why they ought to be moral, if at all. He believes that salvation from this modern disease, a fundamentally good moral philosophy, may be found in the works of Aristotle, who pioneered virtue ethics and advocated a strong teleological view of man. The only way to hold on to these ancient values in today's era, says MacIntyre, is to achieve solidarity by forming a community with which to cultivate the intellect and the soul. This exhortation is a confusingly vague one, but it offers at least some hope in this era of darkness.