Virtue Ethics and Contemporary Aristotelianism: Modernity, Conflict and Politics

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This compelling and distinctive volume advances Aristotelianism by bringing its traditional virtue ethics to bear upon characteristically modern issues, such as the politics of economic power and egalitarian dispute. This volume bridges the gap between Aristotles philosophy and the multitude of contemporary Aristotelian theories that have been formulated in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Part I draws on Aristotles texts and Thomas Aquinas Aristotelianism to examine the Aristotelian tradition of virtues, with a chapter by Alasdair MacIntyre contextualising the different readings of Aristotles philosophy. Part II offers a critical engagement with MacIntyrean Aristotelianism, while Part III demonstrates the ongoing influence of Aristotelianism in contemporary theoretical debates on governance and politics. Extensive in its historical scope, this is a valuable collection relating the tradition of virtue to modernity, which will be of interest to all working in virtue ethics and contemporary Aristotelian politics.

Reviews

The essays collected in this volume will be of great value to readers interested in the validity of MacIntyres revival of Thomistic Aristotelianism and his engagement with modernity, capitalism, and twentieth-century philosophy. Critics and defenders of MacIntyres approach, including MacIntyre himself, are well represented, as are the thinkers through which the value of Aristotles ethics are discussed, including Marx, J. L. Austin, and Charles Taylor. The result is a fascinating exploration of some of the major issues, both practical and theoretical, confronting moral and social philosophy today. -- Richard Kraut, Charles and Emma Morrison Professor in the Humanities, Northwestern University, USA
Drawing on a wide range of sources from different traditions, the collection makes for a thoroughly informative exploration of Aristotelian virtue ethics. Front and centre are themes from MacIntyres work, especially flourishing in the political community, which makes this collection of 14 essays an essential read for those interested in understanding MacIntyres programme. -- Joachim Aufderheide, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, Kings College London, UK
This volume is a welcome addition to the literature on Aristotelian political theories. It relates the MacIntyrean views to various debates inside and outside of Aristotelian theories. MacIntyre allows diversity, criticism and dialogue, unlike the misunderstood view of communitarianism. This book embodies the spirit of such a criticism-oriented MacIntyrean community. * The Classical Review *

Author Bio

Andrius Bielskis is Professor of Political Philosophy and Director of the Centre of Aristotelian Studies and Critical Thought at Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania. Eleni Leontsini is Assistant Professor of the History of Philosophy at the University of Ioannina, Greece and Research Fellow at the Centre for Aristotelian Studies and Critical Theory, Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania. Kelvin Knight is Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Aristotelian Studies and Critical Theory, Mykolas Romeris University, Lithuania and Director of the Centre for Contemporary Aristotelian Studies in Ethics & Politics at London Metropolitan University, UK.