Practice, Sensibility and Moral Education

This paper considers the style of moral philosophy that emerged in the mid-1970s in the writings of John McDowell and David Wiggins and examines its implications for moral education. After characterising the position, I examine whether it broadens or narrows the horizons of moral philosophy. Though McDowell's notorious quietism might suggest the latter, I argue that Wiggins offers a more expansive vision. I then explore how the view might be developed-drawing, for example, on the work of Jonathan Dancy and Alice Crary-before turning to a discussion of moral education informed by Iris Murdoch's conception of the cultivation of moral vision. The outcome, I hope, exemplifies the 'meet' between philosophical reflection and moral life to which Wiggins aspires.