Abstract

In this paper, we propose the adoption of MacIntyre (1985)’s notion of practice to clarify the concept of the “goodµ evaluation of “research practicesµ. We argue that research is a form of social practice that is oriented towards the production of goods both internal and external to social practice itself. Our claim is that in order to properly evaluate a research practice, it is necessary to take not only these goods into account, but also the qualities of the researchers, i.e., the virtues that enable them to appreciate and realize these goods.