“When someone achieves greatness in any field—such as the arts, science, politics, or business—that person’s
achievements are more important than any of his or her personal faults.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your views with reasons
and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.
Can someone’s achievements pardon his/her personal faults? In this day and age when social values are disintegrating the above question becomes very relevant. Some may argue that the person’s contribution in other fields is enough to pardon that person of his/her personal faults. According to me, every case has to be considered separately and weighed and only then we can tell whether the fault can be ignored.
When a person achieves greatness in a certain field he becomes a celebrity. In other words, he becomes a role model for the younger generations. So, there is a greater responsibility on him/her to take every action sensibly. A slight slip in his personal behaviour will send a wrong signal and can mislead thousands of other people.
Take the example of Richard Nixon. Does being a president and a successful politician pardon the crimes he committed when in office? Although he was later pardoned controversially, at least he was made to resign from his post on account of his crimes. We always remember Richard Nixon as the only president of US who was made to resign and not for anything else.
Some actions of models, although not a fault, may be serious threat to the society in general. Take the example of Tom Cruise appearing in a cigarette smoking commercial. Doesn’t it mislead thousands of children considering him as idol? Won’t the children go on to smoke once they reach their teens? Studies conducted have proved that role models endorsing smoking is a bigger risk for teenagers picking up smoking than any other.
On the other hand, celebrities should not be penalised just because they are popular. They should be free to express their opinions or showcase their talent as long as their actions don’t cause harm to anybody. Salman Rushdie was given a fatwa for having written a book opposing the atrocities of Islam, only after he became popular.
In sum, popularity should not be the reason for pardoning major faults of celebrities and on the same note, popularity should not be the reason for punishment. Every case has to be considered on its true merit.
achievements are more important than any of his or her personal faults.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your views with reasons
and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.
Can someone’s achievements pardon his/her personal faults? In this day and age when social values are disintegrating the above question becomes very relevant. Some may argue that the person’s contribution in other fields is enough to pardon that person of his/her personal faults. According to me, every case has to be considered separately and weighed and only then we can tell whether the fault can be ignored.
When a person achieves greatness in a certain field he becomes a celebrity. In other words, he becomes a role model for the younger generations. So, there is a greater responsibility on him/her to take every action sensibly. A slight slip in his personal behaviour will send a wrong signal and can mislead thousands of other people.
Take the example of Richard Nixon. Does being a president and a successful politician pardon the crimes he committed when in office? Although he was later pardoned controversially, at least he was made to resign from his post on account of his crimes. We always remember Richard Nixon as the only president of US who was made to resign and not for anything else.
Some actions of models, although not a fault, may be serious threat to the society in general. Take the example of Tom Cruise appearing in a cigarette smoking commercial. Doesn’t it mislead thousands of children considering him as idol? Won’t the children go on to smoke once they reach their teens? Studies conducted have proved that role models endorsing smoking is a bigger risk for teenagers picking up smoking than any other.
On the other hand, celebrities should not be penalised just because they are popular. They should be free to express their opinions or showcase their talent as long as their actions don’t cause harm to anybody. Salman Rushdie was given a fatwa for having written a book opposing the atrocities of Islam, only after he became popular.
In sum, popularity should not be the reason for pardoning major faults of celebrities and on the same note, popularity should not be the reason for punishment. Every case has to be considered on its true merit.
