Single Idea 8043

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / e. Character]

Full Idea

Characters are the masks worn by moral philosophies.

Gist of Idea

Characters are the masks worn by moral philosophies

Source

Alasdair MacIntyre (After Virtue: a Study in Moral Theory [1981], Ch. 3)

Book Reference

MacIntyre,Alasdair: 'After Virtue: a Study in Moral Theory' [Duckworth 1982], p.27


A Reaction

This may be presenting character in an excessively moral way. Being lively, for example, is a very distinctive trait of character, but hardly moral. This tells us why philosophers are interested in character, but not why other people are.