MacIntyre as Critic and Educator

Providence College, Rhode Island, USA, July 28-31, 2011

The 5th annual conference of the International Society for MacIntyrean Enquiry

Conference Secretary: Michael O'Neill

Plenary Speakers
James Connelly
Daniel O. Dahlstrom
Marilynne Robinson

Alasdair MacIntyre’s thought has been portrayed as an attempt to recover for the contemporary world the wisdom of ancient and medieval philosophy and to provide, using Marx, St. Thomas and others, a thorough critique of the problems of modernity. The goal of this conference is to explore the ways in which Alasdair MacIntyre’s philosophy contributes to criticism that can engender new approaches to living and to education broadly understood. Papers and panels related to the conference theme are welcome. Possible topics may include: 

  • Is MacIntyre’s philosophy sufficient of itself to offer us a “way” of living?

  • Is it (only?) a way of enquiring?

  • Is it a way of teaching?

  • Is there such a thing as a MacIntyrean? What does this term mean when it is associated with a philosopher? An economist? A theologian? A political theorist? An educator?

  • Can there be such a thing as a MacIntyrean curriculum?

  • Is there a canon and if so, what is MacIntyre’s place in it?

  • How has MacIntyre’s thought changed the way we approach the social sciences?

  • What does MacIntyre’s critique of modernity reveal for the way we must live in the contemporary world?

  • What does his critique reveal about the way we do philosophy? The social sciences?

  • What is critical education? What role do educators have to the general public? What is MacIntyre's relationship to Dewey or Friere?

  • What is Catholic Social Teaching?  Can we teach social justice?

  • What is the relationship between education and critical social action?  Should educators join with social groups like labor unions?

  • What does it mean to be a public intellectual?