Tradition Is The Land Of Virtue

As one of the most contemporary influential ethicists,on the one hand,Alasdale Macintyre insists on using the methodology of historicism in research to trace the development process of western moral thoughts,and puts forward critical thinking on modern western moral concepts and the whole spirit of modernity.On the other hand,his virtue theory starts from Aristotle's virtue ethics,he says that morality is based on practice,purpose and personal social life.Obviously,Macintyre's historicism methodology and virtue theory which based on Aristotelianism converge on one point,that is,to highlight the tradition.In this regard,the thinking about tradition and virtue is the main part of his whole ethics thought system,which is also the most worthy of in-depth study.As one of the core concepts of Macintyre's virtue ethics,what is original in "tradition" has great theoretical and practical significance for today's China,which is emphasizing moral construction.Moral construction lies in the cultivation of virtue,and tradition is the source of virtue.Furthermore,virtue is the practical quality acquired by individuals through the rich nourishment of the traditional land.This paper attempts to take the relationship between tradition and virtue as a clue,and finally obtains some theoretical support and inspiration from Macintyre's traditional view on social moral reality and virtue cultivation in in our country.The full text is arranged as follows:Firstly,tracing back to the background of Macintyre's traditional theory and virtue thought,that is,the moral crisis in modern western society,Macintyre advocates the virtue theory in the traditional sense.Secondly,closely around Macintyre's virtue theory,the reverse deduction of it is to clarify the relationship between virtue and tradition: his virtue theory and concept of virtue appeal to tradition,accordingly emphasizing the core position of tradition in Macintyre's ethical thoughts,and clarifying tradition is the basis of virtue.Thirdly,elaborating on Macintyre's traditional theory.Starting with three questions: What exactly is Macintyre's so-called "tradition" ? How to prove the rationality of tradition? As a land rooted in virtue,how does tradition cultivate virtue?The understanding of Macintyre's traditional concepts is the foundation,and the rationality of tradition provides proof for the rationality of its value.Then,we dig deeply into Macintyre's tradition's moral value,that is,the cultivation of virtue by tradition.Finally,pointing out the support and defense that Macintyre's traditional theory receives,questions and challenges it faces.I will discuss the characteristics and limitations of it's theory and hope it can provide guidance for the current moral construction of our society.