In his chapter "The Good Will and the Categorical Imperative," Immanuel Kant demonstrates situations where a maxim, if universalized, would become self-defective. He also explained the problems with these maxims in regards to the principle of humanity. One particular scenario that grabbed my attention involved rusting talents. Kant explained a situation where an individual chooses to, for example, play video games, eat pizza, and drink alcohol all day long (behave worthlessly) without ever being productive. He goes on to ponder the effects if this behavior became a universal law of nature. Would our society remain sustainable? No, Kant proclaims. Behaving in this manner is only possible if others are working (making the pizza, distilling the alcohol, and manufacturing/programming the video games). The original individual's behavior is made possible by others behaving in an opposing way. Additionally, the self-indulging behavior would preserve humanity, but it would do nothing to further it. Moreover, "it is not enough that the action (self-indulgent behavior) does not conflict with humanity in our person as an end in itself; it must also harmonize with it" (113). The individual's behavior clearly does not harmonize with the well-being of humanity.
After class on Monday I really began to think of the rusting talents scenario and how I have encountered similar situations in the news throughout my lifetime. I immediately recalled the Ricky Williams saga. For those that are not familiar with this situation (or do not even know who he is), I will give some background information. Ricky Williams was an extremely successful NFL tailback during the late 90's and early 2000's. He also had an infatuation with marijuana, as well as an emotional connection with the "Bob Marley" or Rastafarian lifestyle. Although he frequently failed drug tests, Ricky was still able to achieve success on the football field. In total, he accumulated 66 touchdowns and over 10,000 rushing yards over his career.
However, Ricky was in and out of retirement and ultimately retired at a young age, with unreached potential, and for highly controversial reasons. ESPN 30 for 30 (ESPN's film line) took an inside look at Ricky's story, and I was able to watch. Ricky flat out told interviewers that he would rather smoke marijuana than play football at a level every youth player can only begin to dream of. He wasted his talent and consequently, at 1:45 in this video link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6hL6s5oZDQ) was even described as "not even deserving of ever playing football again." Ricky tarnished the game by throwing away his God-given talent all for self-indulgence. Many will never forgive him for it, and his name will forever be tarnished. His degree of apathy about the situation was even more mind-boggling, which contributed all the more to his media scrutiny.
Ricky chose a life similar to the individual originally described by Kant in the talent rusting scenario. In my opinion, the only difference was that Ricky had much more ability to aid in the progress of society since he was in a publicly viewed position and succeeded previously at such a high level. This is why he is hated by so many. Try and imagine our society adopting Ricky's lifestyle as a universal law of nature. It would be a joke. Although Ricky's apathy probably would not have allowed him to change his decision, had he imagined his actions universalized he may have seen a society capable of unbelievable good; but falling extremely short. Kant believes that in order for us to treat humanity as an end, we must work for it. Ricky did not act accordingly and instead made, "and exception for the advantage of (his) inclination" (111). If we allow ourselves to repeatedly make exceptions "just this once," we can "find contradictions in our own wills" (111).
For more on the Ricky Williams story, view ESPN FIlms 30 for 30 titled, "Run Ricky Run."
Other related Youtube Video links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fUYdNdyV-E, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkHxySTAmEk
After reading Andy’s post, I also found an example that demonstrates Kant’s philosophy on the dilemma of rusting talents. An article entitled, Athletes love their sports, right?, cites two examples of the decision athletes face if they do not love the sport at which they are so good. The question for them is the following: should I continue to excel at my sport or quit and do something more enjoyable? Tiki Barber, a retired running back for the New York Giants, chose the latter and quit in the prime of his career. When he attempted to return, he found that he was unwanted because his skill level had decreased. As the article states: “Youth may be wasted on the young, but in sports, the most telling truth is that youth is not to be wasted.” (Deford 2012) In the world of sports, youth is comparable to talent because athletes certainly have a prime in which younger bodies are capable of acts that an older body cannot complete. In this sense, Tiki Barber certainly let his talents rust.
ReplyDeleteA similar, current example is that of tennis star Serena Williams. Serena has been quoted as saying: “‘I don't love tennis today, but ... I've actually never liked sports.’” (Deford 2012) The article goes on to explain the feelings that many people share with Kant in that talents should not be wasted: “Through the years, it's aggravated a lot of people in her sport when she's appeared cavalier about the very thing that has brought her fame and fortune -- and thus the ability to pursue other interests --…” (Deford 2012) This directly relates to how people felt about Ricky Williams wasting his talent. I believe that both of these examples illustrate the dilemma of wasting talents, which Kant sees as an imperfect duty to ourselves.
Here is the link to the article if you would like to read it: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/frank_deford/01/18/Elite-athletes-sport-relationship/index.html
Works Cited
1. "Elite athletes don't always love their sports - Frank Deford - SI.com." Breaking news, real-time scores and daily analysis from Sports Illustrated - SI.com. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/frank_deford/01/18/Elite-athletes-sport-relationship/index.html (accessed April 25, 2013).