In an era of cancel culture, digital identities and thriving conversation surrounding parasocial relationships, we question today the nature of the celebrity, the scope of their power and influence, as well as the ethical issues these implicate. It is a wonder, then, that philosophy is a discipline that has, as of yet, contributed surprisingly little to this debate despite the growing philosophical literature on connected philosophical topics that serve as a starting point for the philosophical inquiry into the nature and value of fame and celebrity. For example, the literature on the philosophy of admiration, achievement, skills and talents, epistemic authority, virtue and moral psychology can all serve to analyse the important questions arise when considering what fame is, and the way that it influences the way we live.
Offering the first introductory overview of the key philosophical issues involved in the nature and value of fame and celebrity, this edited collection provides a new perspective and voice to the conversation. Divided into four parts, its first focuses on conceptual differences between fame and celebrity, the experience of being famous, how celebrities interact with the public, and what motivates people to desire or pursue fame. The second part of the volume explores fame and virtue as well as the ways in which ethical issues intertwine with fame, concluding with an examination of the nature of fame in relation to contemporary online culture.
As digital technologies expand, cultural commentators remark that we are all becoming celebrities, scrutinized by the public gaze whether we like it or not. This book therefore answers a pressing need, for if celebrity culture continues to expand and consume our social lives, the case for a philosophical reflection on the nature and value of this culture becomes even more necessary.
1. An Introduction to the Philosophy of Fame and Celebrity, Alfred Archer, Matthew J. Dennis & Catherine M. Robb (Editors) Part I: The Nature of Fame and Celebrity 2. The Importance of Being Ordinary, Alfred Archer & Catherine M. Robb 3. Fame and False Intimacy, Mary Beth Willard 4. Fame, Narrative, and the (Im)Permanence of Memory, Leslie Howe Part II: Fame and Virtue 5. Fame and Flourishing, Michael S. Brady 6. Honour, Glory and Fame, Sophie Grace Chappell 7. Dishonesty and Fame: Exploring the Relationship, Christian Miller 8. Vices of Fame: Pride, Shame, and Fear of Scandal, Kamila Pacovská Part III: Ethics and Fame 9. Don’t Spread the Word: When Admiration Requires No Fame, Maria Silvia Vaccarezza and Michel Croce 10. “Go Cry About It”: What do Celebrities Owe the Public?, Vanessa Wills 11. Cancelling Celebrities, Linda Radzick Part IV: Celebrity and Online Culture 12. Fame, Trust and Evidence-Resistance, Rebecca Wallbank 13. Online Role Models: The Possibilities & Problematics of Online Celebrities for Moral Education, Tom Harris and Yousra Osman 14. Are We All Starlets Now?, Heather Widdows
Alfred Archeris an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Tilburg University, the Netherlands. He has previously worked as a DAAD Funded Visiting Chair (Full Professor) at Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich (2019) and a Teaching Fellow at Bristol University (2015). Matthew J. Dennis is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Philosophy and Ethics Capacity Group at Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands. Catherine M. Robb is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Tilburg University, the Netherlands. Her novel account of the nature of talent has been published in Synthese (2021), and has given rise to a number of public talks on applying the philosophy of talent development to everyday life.
Reviews for Philosophy of Fame and Celebrity
This is the first in-depth exploration into the philosophy of fame and celebrity. It sets the agenda for future work in this new and exciting area of investigation. Each contribution provides insight into fame and celebrity and will form the basis of future work in this area. * Benjamin Matheson, Assistant Professor, University of Bern, Switzerland * A fabulous collection of new philosophical writing about fame and celebrity, with contributions from an all-star cast of thinkers. * Sophie Grace Chappell, Professor of Philosophy, Open University, UK *
