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https://doi.org/10.21464/sp35109

Rival Concepts of Courage: MacIntyrean Enquiry

Anita Calvert orcid id orcid.org/0000-0001-7272-4890 ; Philosopher’s mind, West Malling ME19 6RZ, UK


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Abstract

Aristotle’s thoughts about courage in Nicomachean Ethics remain the most common topic of discussion about the virtue. However, if Alasdair MacIntyre’s enquiry of virtues is applied, we start to wonder if we have only fragments of that ancient concept of courage in liberal societies today. The images of courage change. We can talk about Aristotelian insights and tell stories about medieval knights, but current tradition and its prominent moral characters shape our comprehension and exercise of virtues. A MacIntyrean threefold approach to virtue with respect to a) practice, b) narrative unity of life and c) tradition reveals two rival concepts of courage: the virtue of courage of excellence and the virtue of courage of efficiency. Which one we will cheer for and which one will prevail depends upon the kind of courage we will employ and adopt as our second, habitual nature.

Keywords

Alasdair MacIntyre; courage; excellence; efficiency; narrative unity of life; practice; tradition

Hrčak ID:

246334

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/246334

Publication date:

24.9.2020.

Article data in other languages: croatian french german

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