Philosophy of Fame and Celebrity

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.

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.