Here’s a quote which many of us will remember from our college philosophy 101 discussion of Plato’s Republic:
“Thrasymachus conceded all these points, but not in the easygoing way I have just described. He had to be dragged every step of the way, sweating profusely, as you might expect in summer. This was the occasion when I saw something I had never seen before—Thrasymachus blushing.”
Plato, Republic 350d
This is the moment when Socrates chastened Thrasymachus, causing him to blush—to feel shame— and it’s probably one of the older descriptions of shaming.
But what exactly is shame, and is it always bad?
Here’s a reference to the Oxford English Dictionary definition of shame, a definition I agree with (other than the spelling of honor!):
The painful emotion arising from the consciousness of something dishonouring, ridiculous, or indecorous in one’s own conduct or circumstances (or in those of others whose honour or disgrace one regards as one’s own), or of being in a situation which offends one’s sense of modesty or decency.
Shame is certainly a painful emotion, one I don’t enjoy experiencing and one I don’t want to create in others, but I am not convinced it’s always to be avoided. Most human emotions have their place to live a full life.
In fact, I would contend that even generally negative emotions, such as anger and contempt have their place. (The only emotion which possibly should always be avoided? Hatred. ) And I suspect that the ability to feel shame likely has some socialization benefits within any given culture, and I certainly wouldn’t want a friend who cannot feel shame. To me, that would suggest a person with a deep personality disorder.
But what about modern-day shaming? Fat-shaming, Twitter-shaming, clothes-shaming, body-shaming, and the like?
These acts speak more to the lack of character of the one shaming than the one being shamed, and I would much rather befriend someone who feels shame, than one who takes pleasure in creating it in others.
Give me a Thrasymachus over a Socrates.