This volume provides a thorough introduction to three of the twentieth century's most influential proponents of Aristotle's moral philosophy. Arthur Madigan's Contemporary Aristotelian Ethics examines the work of Alasdair MacIntyre, Martha Nussbaum, and Robert Spaemann in the context of twentieth-century Anglo-American moral philosophy. By surveying the ways in which these three philosophers appropriate Aristotle, Madigan illustrates two important points: first, that the most pressing problems in contemporary moral philosophy can be addressed using the Aristotelian tradition and, second, that the Aristotelian tradition does not speak with one voice. Madigan demonstrates that Aristotelian moral philosophy is divided on important issues, such as the value of liberal modernity, the character and provenance of our current moral landscape, and the role of nature in Aristotle's ethics. Through his examination of MacIntyre, Nussbaum, and Spaemann, Madigan offers a vision for the future of Aristotelian moral philosophy, urging today's philosophers to set a clear educational agenda, to continue refining their concepts and intuitions, and to engage with new conversation partners from other philosophical traditions.
Arthur Madigan, S.J., is professor emeritus of philosophy at Boston College. He is the author and translator of many books and essays about Greek philosophy, including Aristotle's Metaphysics: Books B and K 1-2.
Introduction 1. Anglo-American Moral Philosophy 1950-1990 2. Alasdair MacIntyre's Revolutionary Aristotelianism 3. The Liberal Aristotelianism of Martha Nussbaum 4. The Personalist Aristotelianism of Robert Spaemann 5. Issues Facing Aristotelians
"Contemporary Aristotelian Ethics is an extremely rich original contribution, encompassing a vast landscape of intellectual activity, examining important thinkers in detail, and setting the stage for what can be done next." -Robert Sokolowski, author of Phenomenology of the Human Person "This structure is ideal for use in college courses. The clarity of Madigan's writing enables readers unfamiliar with these philosophers to firmly grasp the essentials of their thought. The discussion of these philosophers in relation to Anglo-American moral philosophy and the current state of Aristotelian philosophy also make it interesting to experts." -Choice "Madigan succeeds in his goal of showing that contemporary Aristotelian approaches do not speak with one voice....this clear book can be valuable for those in the study of religious ethics." -Reading Religion
