The Demise of Moral Philosophy both before and after the American Civil War
During the first half of the nineteenth century, moral philosophy enjoyed enormous prestige in colleges throughout the United States: through its alliance with moral theology, it sought to forge the conscience of the nation. It lost this status in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War. One of the reasons for this was the growing secularization of society, but one should not underestimate the impact of its failure to serve as the conscience of the nation on the issue of slavery. From being a practical discourse aimed at creating good citizens, moral philosophy retreated into a highly theoretical endeavor divorced from society. Returning to practical affairs is not the answer for moral philosophy unless it is accompanied by a new form of writing its history, one that takes a broader view of its context, including understanding the institutional pressures that impact philosophy when it is done in academic settings.
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| Work Title | The Demise of Moral Philosophy both before and after the American Civil War |
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| License | In Copyright (Rights Reserved) |
| Work Type | Article |
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| Publication Date | 2023 |
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| Deposited | March 31, 2025 |
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