Title: “Creativity, Vanity, and Narcissism”
25 January, 1600-1800PM
Senate House – Room 234
Abstract
Exemplary creative people are curious, courageous and resilient (i.e. possess creative virtues). So I have argued at any rate. Yet there is reason to suppose creative people often tend toward vanity and narcissism. How can this be on a virtue like picture? This talk will look at evidence for thinking creative people tend toward vanity and go on to develop a new account of what vanity is that explains why this might be so. In doing so the talk will explore the putative benefits and costs of vanity for creativity and go on to suggest that vanity is an interesting creative vice (i.e. failing) that bears a close relation to creative virtue.