Individual libertarianism and communitarianism are important issues in modern society, emphasizing the need for a balance between individual freedom and communal responsibility. MacIntyre seeks to restore a communal sense of morality through Aristotle’s teleological ethics, which provides a way for individual freedom to interact harmoniously with community.
Individual libertarians believe that individuals are free and independent beings and therefore have moral obligations that bind them only by free choice and consent. This position is appealing because it prioritizes individual freedom and autonomy, and believes that each person should be in charge of their own life. They believe that people are only responsible for their own actions, not for the actions of others or for things beyond their power. Individual libertarians are therefore convinced that their freedom should not be infringed upon by the lives of others or the demands of society. There is no room for a communal sense of morality in this view. It is unjust for individuals to limit their freedom in order to meet the demands or expectations of the community.
However, this individualistic view can be problematic in modern societies where social ties and cooperation are important. For example, in situations where an individual’s behavior can affect the entire society, such as environmental issues or public safety, a balance between individual freedom and social responsibility is necessary. Individual libertarianism does not provide a sufficient answer to these issues. This is because an individual’s behavior without consideration for the good of the community can adversely affect the entire community.
MacIntyre, a communitarian, believes that modern society’s inability to escape the influence of individual libertarianism stems from modern moral philosophy’s rejection of Aristotle’s teleological ethics. He attempts to overcome individual libertarianism by reinstating Aristotle’s teleological ethics. Objectivist ethics sets happiness, the highest good, as the ultimate end to be pursued by human beings and views virtue as a necessary condition for reaching that good. According to Aristotle, virtue is both the means to the good and the essential, intrinsic thing that constitutes the good.
MacIntyre says that virtue is acquired through action. By action, MacIntyre means that the good inherent in an activity is realized through that activity. Furthermore, action is not personal but socially organized and cooperative. Therefore, even if an activity realizes the good inherent in the activity itself, it is difficult to acquire virtue if it is not connected to the community to which one belongs. Ultimately, MacIntyre sees the importance of community in practice. Virtuous action is not just about individual fulfillment, but also about the development of the community. Community provides the environment in which individuals can achieve moral growth, and at the same time, the moral growth of individuals contributes to raising the moral standards of the community.
So why is community so important in practice? To explain this, MacIntyre suggests understanding life in terms of a “story”. An individual’s life does not exist in a single moment. Like a story, it is a narrative of birth, life, and death, and that narrative exists within the history of the community to which it belongs. Individuals are influenced by their communities to shape their stories, and their communities interact with other communities. This process is also the process of creating a community’s story. Therefore, an individual’s actions have meaning in relation to the community. In this relationality, an individual’s life becomes more than just a personal experience, but a reflection of the values and traditions of the community.
MacIntyre’s work provides a rationale for the importance of a communal sense of morality in a modern world that emphasizes individual liberalism. However, MacIntyre’s argument suggests that the responsibilities of individuals in a community can be infinitely extended. It can also unduly limit an individual’s autonomous judgment about moral responsibility. The balance between individual freedom and communal responsibility remains an important issue in modern society, and how this balance is struck will determine the direction of society. It’s worth noting that communitarianism doesn’t simply seek to curb individual freedom, but rather to help individuals lead richer and more meaningful lives as part of a community.
