Bøger af Catherine M Robb

Talents play a central role in the way that we live our lives, and it is widelyassumed that identifying and developing one's talents is valuable, both for oneselfand for others. Despite this, the philosophical literature is seriously lacking in itsdiscussion of the nature and value of talent; the objective goodness of talent andits development is often assumed without an analysis of what a talent is, and thevalue that we place on it. This dissertation aims to provide such an analysis,offering a philosophical account of the nature and value of talent, and an accountof why we value its development. In doing so, I demonstrate how this can informand help us assess the debates and arguments that are made in the existingphilosophical literature on talent. I do not aim to provide an exhaustive overviewof all the philosophical issues that could be raised in relation to the value of talentand talent development, but instead I focus on three central issues that arise whenanalysing the nature of talents and the role that they play in our lives.The first issue is the nature of talent itself. Here I offer an account oftalent, understood as a high level of potential for a particular skill which isexpressed and manifested in the excellent acquisition of that skill. The secondissue is whether or not we have good prudential reasons or a moral obligation todevelop our talents. I begin by objecting to Kant's claim that there is a moral dutyto develop one's talents; I will argue that if there is such a duty, it will not begenerated by the commitments of Kant's moral theory. I then argue that whetheror not talent development is morally required, or prudentially good, is conditionalon one's endorsement of the commitments that are required to bring about thedevelopment of one's talent.