Back to All Events

Central APA Presentation (Denver, CO)

In this paper, I argue that there is a range of morally permissible responses to offensive comedians, but we are not morally justified in trying to end their careers for making heinous jokes. In Section 1, I establish how the sicknik, or the comic who makes offensive jokes, plays an important role in society. This role, I argue, requires that sickniks be given creative space to be vulgar. Then, in Section 2, I consider different ways people can respond to sickniks, and conclude that it is oftentimes permissible both to support and criticize sickniks, but it is impermissible to cancel sickniks. To cancel someone, for our purposes, is to publicly criticize her with the intent to deplatform her. In Section 3, I anticipate objections to my view.

Earlier Event: January 4
APA Eastern Meeting
Later Event: February 25
Central APA Commentary (Denver, CO)