Celebrity morals and the loss of religious authority

Introduction: the rapid rise of celebrity sovereignty -- The sin of coveting: what (supposedly) makes celebrity watching morally dangerous -- Stunning stars: celebrity fascination -- Why we ogle: reasons for our fascination -- Celebrity moralism: when stars stand on principle -- Moral credentials --...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Portmann, John (Author)
Format: Print Book
Language:English
Subito Delivery Service: Order now.
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: London New York Routledge 2019
In:Year: 2019
Series/Journal:Routledge studies in religion
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Celebrity / Morals / Authority / Loss / Folk culture
IxTheo Classification:NCB Personal ethics
NCC Social ethics
Further subjects:B Celebrities (United States) Conduct of life
B Popular Culture Moral and ethical aspects (United States)
Online Access: Table of Contents
Description
Summary:Introduction: the rapid rise of celebrity sovereignty -- The sin of coveting: what (supposedly) makes celebrity watching morally dangerous -- Stunning stars: celebrity fascination -- Why we ogle: reasons for our fascination -- Celebrity moralism: when stars stand on principle -- Moral credentials -- Aging anxiety and the burden of celebrity -- Privacy: a plea for respect -- Why we mock: revulsion to "weak" celebrities -- Celebrity deaths -- Conclusion: a race to the bottom.
"This book examines American popular culture to demonstrate that celebrities have superseded religious figures as moral authorities. As trust in religious institutions has waned over recent decades, the once frivolous entertainment fringe has become the moral center. Young people and voters increasingly take cues from actors and athletes. The book begins by offering a definition of celebrity and showing that the profile of celebrities has changed dramatically, particularly since the 1960s. They can now chart their own careers, manage their own personal lives and weigh in on pressing moral issues in manner that hasn't always been the case. This can be to the good, it is argued, for some counterintuitive reasons. Very few stars pretend to be moral exemplars, unlike the frequently hypocritical elites they have replaced. Others, however, are seemingly poorly qualified to speak on complex moral issues. In the end, it also turns out that who tells us how to feel about any moral issue counts at least as much as what they tell us. This is a fresh look at the impact of celebrity culture on contemporary morality and religious authority. As such, it will be of great use to academics working in religious studies and ethics, as well as popular culture and media studies"--
Item Description:Includes bibliographical references and index
ISBN:0367221381