In today’s NY Times blog, Stanley Fish (renown Postmodern scholar) reflects on his childhood and adulthood heroes: Ted Williams and Frank Sinatra. In addition to offering interesting anecdotes, Fish comments on why Ted Williams and Frank Sinatra (at time quite unheroic in their treatment of women and violent acts) are exemplary–both were zealously committed to their art.
The science of hitting and the singing of songs by these heroes have impressed Fish and countless others. Dismissing their personal vices and virtues, he glories in their excellent craftsmanship. To be sure, Sinatra and Williams are legends of their crafts, but should we so easily dismiss character from craftsmanship?
It is arguable that both Sinatra and Williams lacked in character because they were so committed so music and baseball. In their zeal for excellence and fame, friends and family suffered. Nothing could trump the craft. Character took a backseat to vocational glory. Often, it is precisely because we are so committed to a thing, to a vocation, that our character crumbles.
Perhaps we should not follow the Fish on this one…