Fame and Redemption: On the Moral Dangers of Celebrity Apologies

Journal of Social Philosophy (2023)
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Abstract

In this paper, I first consider three possible explanations for why celebrities typically apologise publicly and sometimes also include their fans among the targets of their apology. I then identify three moral dangers of celebrity apologies, the third of which arises specifically for fan-targeted apologies, and each of which teaches us important lessons about the practice of celebrity apologies. From these individual lessons, I draw more general lessons about apologies from those with elevated social positions and the powers they are associated with.

Other Versions

reprint Matheson, Benjamin (2025) "Fame and redemption: On the moral dangers of celebrity apologies". Journal of Social Philosophy 56(1):98-115

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Benjamin Matheson
University of Bern

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References found in this work

Unprincipled virtue: an inquiry into moral agency.Nomy Arpaly - 2003 - New York: Oxford University Press.
Moral Grandstanding.Justin Tosi & Brandon Warmke - 2016 - Philosophy and Public Affairs 44 (3):197-217.
Trust as an affective attitude.Karen Jones - 1996 - Ethics 107 (1):4-25.
Forgiveness and Mercy.Jeffrie G. Murphy & Jean Hampton - 1988 - Cambridge University Press.

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