Comparing Macintyre And Virtue Essay

Macintyre argues that there is a common thread between Homer, Aristotle, the New Testament, Ben Franklin, and Jane Austen’s definitions of virtue. To argue this, he first establishes each person’s definition of virtue. Homer claims that arête or excellence is a key virtue insofar as being a warrior. Aristotle then claims that not all people have the proper access and that people’s telos is what ultimately determines virtues. Macintyre also points out that Ben Franklin asserts virtues are a means to an end to achieve external success. External success is obtaining success outside of the event itself. This includes fame, fortune, and social achievement. These goods must be limited in quantity and rival, not everyone can have them. Whereas internal goods are intrinsic to the event itself. This results in Macintyre explaining what situation these rules apply. He develops the word practice to mean, “I am going to mean any coherent and complex form of socially established cooperative human activity through which goods internal to that form of activity are realized in the course of trying to achieve those standards of excellence” (Macintyre 187). Participating in a

He argues, “The possession of the virtues – and not only of their semblance and simulacra – is necessary to achieve the latter, yet the possession of the virtues may perfectly well hinder us achieving external goods” (Macintyre 196). Virtues such as truthfulness, justice, and courage are essential to achieving internal goods. While they do limit people’s external possibilities, they force them to appreciate and learn from the practice. Additionally, these virtues extend throughout practices abroad as long as those countries also value the same virtues. Consequently, practices require more than just technical skills, they require an understanding and respect for the proper virtues that come along with