Single Idea 8053

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / B. History of Ideas / 6. Twentieth Century Thought]

Full Idea

Twentieth century social life turns out in key part to be the concrete and dramatic re-enactment of eighteenth-century philosophy.

Gist of Idea

Twentieth century social life is re-enacting eighteenth century philosophy

Source

Alasdair MacIntyre (After Virtue: a Study in Moral Theory [1981], Ch. 8)

Book Reference

MacIntyre,Alasdair: 'After Virtue: a Study in Moral Theory' [Duckworth 1982], p.83


A Reaction

This suggest a two hundred year lag between the philosophy and its impact on the culture. One might note the Victorian insistence on 'duty' (e.g. in George Eliot), alongside Mill's view that the Kantian account of it didn't work (Idea 3768).

Related Idea

Idea 3768 Orthodox morality is the only one which feels obligatory [Mill]