Whose Justice? Which Rationality?

Alasdair MacIntyre's Whose Justice? Which Rationality? explores the historical development of different ethical and political traditions. MacIntyre, a prominent moral philosopher, argues that modern moral theories fail to provide a rational basis for moral norms. He reintroduces Aristotelian ethics, suggesting that morality's intelligibility is restored when viewed within a historical framework.1

The book examines how different traditions, such as Aristotelianism and Enlightenment philosophies like Kantianism and utilitarianism, approach concepts of justice and rationality. MacIntyre posits that a tradition's rationality can be demonstrated by its ability to explain the failures of rival traditions and to progress in areas where others falter. He critiques the modern nation-state, advocating for a politics of local community where citizens actively participate in deliberation.123