Conceptual Problems for Stanley Hauerwas’s Virtue Ethics

Abstract

Stanley Hauerwas develops his Christian virtue ethics by drawing upon his use of the later Wittgenstein as well as the work of Alasdair MacIntyre. Most importantly, Hauerwas thinks that the world and language are internally related. In light of this and other key beliefs, this essay examines some conceptual problems that threaten to undermine his ethics, as well as certain orthodox Christian doctrines. They involve considerations, first, about the Christian concept of God and special revelation; and second, the question of relativism. In the process, we will draw upon and examine the work of Brad Kallenberg, a defender of Hauerwas.