On Being a Fan and on Fanhood and Its Implications for Defeating the Moral Sceptic

Anita M. Superson

doi:10.1017/S0012217321000330

On Being a Fan and on Fanhood and Its Implications for Defeating the Moral Sceptic

Anita M. Superson

Philosophy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

I employ the notion of fanhood to object to David Gauthier's Dependency Thesis, according to which, if a disposition is rationally required to adopt, so too are the acts expressing it. I first establish that fanhood is a commitment relevantly similar to a moral commitment. I then argue that, because genuine fanhood characteristically issues in inherently irrational behaviours in the form of 'luck charms,' or, superstitious practices fans believe will help their team win, it poses a decisive objection to the Dependency Thesis, thereby eliminating a promising attempt to defeat the moral sceptic.

Original language	English
Journal	Dialogue-Canadian Philosophical Review
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/S0012217321000330
State	Accepted/In press - 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Canadian Philosophical Association/Publié par Cambridge University Press au nom de l'Association canadienne de philosophie.

Keywords

Dependency Thesis
Gauthier
commitment
fanhood
luck charms
moral sceptic

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Philosophy

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10.1017/S0012217321000330

Cite this

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On Being a Fan and on Fanhood and Its Implications for Defeating the Moral Sceptic

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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