preview

Shame : A Critical Point Of A Person 's Moral Development Essay

Good Essays

Shame is philosophically understood to be a critical point in a person 's moral development. A mature moral agent has their own standards and self evaluates on shame based on relevant criticisms. Cheshire Calhoun argues the position that one feel shame while still being a morally developed agent. This is in contrast to some of additional theories in the field such as the ‘Moral Pioneer’ and ‘Socially Discriminating Actor’, which hold that shame stems from to the individual 's appraisal of externals criticisms. These differences arise from trying to understand if a mature moral agent could feel shame in relation to another 's criticisms which they do not agree with, but agree with on some framework level. I personally agree with much of Cheshire Calhoun 's conclusions on the matter which demonstrate an understanding of the social practicality of group values and communal expectations. This allows shame to be experienced in a situation where another colleague could bring in social factors which would influence a shame response due to subordinate identities that should be factored for in the situation. The differences I have with Calhoun arise when we factor for the internet and the roles of social interaction that are simultaneously real and artificial which demands a redefining of terms. I agree that shame cannot be understood outside its social circumstances without delimiting its importance. In order to properly argue for my position I must give definition of terms and

Get Access