Alasdair Macintyre’s exposition on moral relativism: an analysis from an Islamic perspective

Mohd Sidqy, Muna Sidqy and Awang Abd. Rahman @ Jusoh, Amilah (2025) Alasdair Macintyre’s exposition on moral relativism: an analysis from an Islamic perspective. Al-Itqan: Journal of Islamic Sciences and Comparative Studies, 10 (1). pp. 100-115. E-ISSN 2600-8432

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Abstract

Moral relativism has seen a rise in popularity, especially during post-modern times. The heterogeneous nature of society due to various factors drives a compelling case for moral relativism to be studied from its historical context and theistic perspective. Therefore, this article aims to explore Alasdair MacIntyre’s thoughts on moral relativism, analyzing it from Islamic perspectives. The subject of this research will be investigated through library research, with a particular reference to the third edition of MacIntyre’s After Virtue. Selected journal articles written by MacIntyre and other scholars are used to supplement or reframe the arguments found in the book. This article specifically explores MacIntyre’s thoughts on subjective nature, lack of standards, individualistic tendencies of moral relativism, and his concept of telos. The Islamic perspective is extracted from various opinions of selected contemporary scholars. The analysis demonstrates that MacIntyre’s views are parallel with some ethical ideals held by the Islamic teachings, particularly in his concept of telos. Several aspects of his discourse can be more appreciated by refining it with the Islamic answers to the nature of morality. The concept of reality, the position of man, and the real nature of sources of ethics, as exposed by the Muslim thinkers, can be supplementary to the issues highlighted by MacIntyre in sidelining moral relativism as the answer to contemporary times.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Alasdair MacIntyre, Relativism, THeistic views, Islamic Perspective
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BJ Ethics > BJ1188 Religious ethics
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Usul al-Din and Comparative Religion Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences
Depositing User:	Dr. AMILAH Awang Abd Rahman
Date Deposited:	24 Dec 2025 09:30
Last Modified:	24 Dec 2025 09:30
Queue Number:	2025-12-Q874
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/125762

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