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Dealbreakers and the Work of Immoral Artists

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2023

IAN STONER Open the ORCID record for IAN STONER [Opens in a new window]
IAN STONER*
Affiliation:
SAINT PAUL COLLEGE ian.stoner@saintpaul.edu
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Abstract

A dealbreaker, in the sense developed in this essay, is a relationship between a person's psychology and an aspect of an artwork to which they are exposed. When a person has a dealbreaking aversion to an aspect of a work, they are blocked from embracing the work's aesthetically positive features. I characterize dealbreakers, distinguish this response from other negative responses to an artwork, and argue that the presence or absence of a dealbreaker is in some cases an appropriate target of moral evaluation. I then use the concept of dealbreakers to develop a new approach to the question of our moral obligations with respect to the work of immoral artists, arguing that there is no general obligation binding us to cultivate or eliminate a dealbreaking aversion to their work. I conclude by suggesting several other philosophical debates that could benefit from a focus on dealbreakers.

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Article
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Journal of the American Philosophical Association , Volume 9 , Issue 3 , September 2023 , pp. 389 - 407
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the American Philosophical Association

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Footnotes

Two anonymous reviewers wrote thoughtful comments that helped me improve this essay. I am also, as usual, diversely indebted to Jason Swartwood.

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