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Single Idea 21050

[from 'After Virtue: a Study in Moral Theory' by Alasdair MacIntyre, in 16. Persons / E. Rejecting the Self / 3. Narrative Self ]

Full Idea

I can only answer the question 'What am I to do?' if I can answer the prior question 'Of what story or stories do I find myself a part?'.

Gist of Idea

I can only make decisions if I see myself as part of a story

Source

Alasdair MacIntyre (After Virtue: a Study in Moral Theory [1981], p.201), quoted by Michael J. Sandel - Justice: What's the right thing to do? 09

Book Reference

Sandel,Michael J.: 'Justice: what's the right thing to do?' [Penguin 2010], p.221


A Reaction

MacIntyre is a great champion of the narrative view of the Self. Does this mean that if you had total amnesia, but retained other faculties, you could make no decisions? Can you start a new story whenever you like?