Are Practices Self-Governing?

Abstract

In this paper I consider the question of self-governing in relation to MacIntyrean practices. It is not uncommon to discover MacIntyrean practices being described as self-governing in at least some sense. However, while there are seemingly valid reasons for why this might be thought the case, in my paper I argue that there is something very different visible in MacIntyre’s writings here. Indeed, what I want to emphasise regarding MacIntyre’s position in relation to the governing of practices is that rather than self-governing, at most MacIntyrean practices are self-directing or self-guiding. Therefore, although for MacIntyre governing of practices is fundamentally important, what I draw attention to is how, on the whole, this governing happens from outside, and that direction and guidance if and when it does happen, happens in a very specific, internal way aside from governing.

Keywords

• Alasdair MacIntyre
• Self-Government
• Practices
• Institutions
• Goods
• Natural Law