Marxism Lost and Found: Alasdair MacIntyre and the Contemporary Debate

Abstract

This paper examines the changing nature of debates that focus on the philosophy of Alasdair MacIntyre. Whilst outlining the history of MacIntyre's engagement with Marxism and some of his key ideas, it argues that it is only recently that such debates have begun to rightfully recognise the continued relevance of Marxism to such discussions. I note that crucial aspects of MacIntyre's politics and philosophy, particularly his opposition to capitalism, are now integral to the contemporary debate which helps in generating a shared vision of radical politics. Nevertheless, I point out that key disagreements still remain as to the role of Marxism within such debates, the validity of MacIntyre's critique of Marxism, as well as the potentially problematic post-Marxist practice that MacIntyre advocates in After Virtue and beyond.

Keywords:

• MacIntyre
• Marxism
• ethics
• liberalism
• capitalism

Notes on Contributor

John Gregson is senior lecturer in criminology at Leeds Beckett University. His main research interests include the philosophy of Alasdair MacIntyre, Marxism and other theories of justice, and radical criminology. He is currently writing a paper on the problem of justification in Marx & MacIntyre, as well as a book on MacIntyre's ethics and politics.