
Maiden Mother Matriarch with Louise Perry BONUS: The end of postliberalism
Nov 6, 2025
Nina Power, a philosopher and writer known for her expertise in political theory and ethics, explores the profound ideas of Alasdair MacIntyre. She discusses the shift from Marxism to virtue ethics, challenging modern academia's dismissal of such concepts. The conversation tackles issues like excessive individualism versus communitarianism, the critiques of liberalism, and the implications of MacIntyre's views on natural law and gender differences. Power argues that virtues must be practiced within moral communities to counteract cultural fragmentation.
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Virtue Ethics As Repair For Moral Fragmentation
- Alasdair MacIntyre revives Aristotelian virtue ethics to argue modern moral language is fragmented and incoherent.
- He claims liberal emotivism reduces moral claims to subjective feelings, undermining communal moral practice.
Aristotle Meets Aquinas And Academic Backlash
- MacIntyre's return to Aristotle intersects with Thomistic natural law, which made him unpopular in academic circles.
- His embrace of Catholic-influenced thought complicated his reception across left and right politics.
Nature Is Taboo But Relevant
- Contemporary discourse often treats appeals to nature as taboo and flattens sex-based distinctions.
- Power insists biological differences between men and women remain relevant for political questions about flourishing.




