New Books Network Mary Beth Willard, "Why It's Ok to Enjoy the Work of Immoral Artists" (Routledge, 2021)
Sep 22, 2025
Mary Beth Willard, an associate professor of philosophy at Weber State University, delves into the ethical complexities of appreciating the art of immoral artists. She argues that individual boycotts often lack impact and that enjoying art doesn't equate to endorsing the artist's actions. The conversation explores the difference between enjoyment and engagement, the challenges of collective action, and the nuanced ethical implications of enjoying problematic artworks. Willard highlights the risks of moral grandstanding in the context of cancel culture.
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Blog Post That Sparked The Project
- Mary Beth Willard describes writing a viral blog post at the 2017 Aesthetics conference with colleagues about immoral artists and aesthetics.
- That weekend in New Orleans spawned follow-ups that became the intellectual seed for her book project.
How The Book Contract Arrived
- Willard recounts how a Routledge editor contacted her after a colleague pitched her title idea at a reception.
- The original project focused narrowly on Michael Jackson before expanding into the final book.
Engagement Beats Simple Enjoyment
- Willard prefers 'engage' over 'enjoy' because art interaction often includes contemplation, sharing, and creative responses.
- She stresses that aesthetic engagement frequently happens within communities, not only as solitary enjoyment.
