Why It's OK to Enjoy the Work of Immoral Artists

ISBN: 0367898640

Author: Willard, Mary Beth

Condition: New

The #metoo movement has forced many fans to consider what they should do when they learn that a beloved artist has acted immorally. One natural thought is that fans ought to give up the artworks of immoral artists. In Why Its OK to Enjoy the Work of Immoral Artists, Mary Beth Willard argues for a more nuanced view. Enjoying art is part of a well-lived life, so we need good reasons to give it up.And it turns out good reasons are hard to find. Willard shows that its reasonable to believe that most boycotts of artists wont succeed, so most of the time theres no ethical reason to join in. Someone who manages to separate the art from the artist isnt making an ethical mistake by buying and enjoying their art. She then considers the ethical dimensions of canceling artists and the so-called "cancel culture," arguing that canceling is ethically risky because it encourages moral grandstanding. Willard concludes by arguing that the popular debate has overlooked the power of art to change our lives for the good.Its of course OK to decide to give up the artwork of immoral artists, but - as Willard shows in this provocative little volume - its OK to continue to enjoy their art as well.Key FeaturesOffers accessible discussions of complicated philosophical topics like aesthetic value, collective action problems, and epistemic justiceProvides a unique perspective and underexplored argument on the popular issue of cancellationExplores the role of aesthetic value in our lives, including its relation to our ethical decisions and our well being