Macintyre: Universal Virtue
The issue of universal versus the particular is quite prevalent when reading MacIntyre’s The Virtues. He states that there is an “empirical untidiness in the way that our knowledge of the virtues is ordered, more particularly in respect of how the practice of each relates to the practice of all the others”(178). This type discord between the masses causes confusion within a society, and the idea of what is right and virtuous can become lost. When faced with this issue a universal truth is necessary to combat the particular, and the fundamental truths. Having these universal truths one is able to able to look at the core of an action or belief that may subjectively seem virtuous, and examine whether or not it is truly an act of a virtue. MacIntyre makes it clear that through the possession of the universal truths, one is able to re-educate others on the true virtues of the world, and help them to get rid of their vices. Nevertheless, through these truths, complete re-education is not always necessary. With the use of the Nazi example, MacIntyre shows that while the Nazi has to be re-educated in the concepts of virtues like humility and charity(180), there are previously obtained virtues that should not be forgotten about. Specifically “avoiding both cowardice and intemperate rashness in the face of harm and danger”(180). This relationship between the universal, and the particular, is necessary for MacIntyre since the universal can be used for a standard of comparison and an indicator for injustice. However, through the particular the need …show more content…
In the end it is clear that both Aristotle, and Aquinas write about the tension between the universal and the particular. While the two ideas are polar opposite, it is clear that these men believe they are necessary for obtaining the end goal of virtue. Both use the universal as a way of defining the law, but, MacIntyre’s uses the particular as tool for expedited reeducation, and Aristotle uses it for a protection of
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