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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author argues that discarding false shame also eliminates real shame. We have lost a useful moral guide.
In plain terms
In removing fake shame we lost genuine moral restraint.
What can you take from it?
Shame can be a useful moral signal.

Where it applies

  • ethical debates
  • social commentary
  • moral philosophy

Putting it to work

  • Distinguish useful shame from toxic shame

Questions to consider

  • When is shame beneficial?
  • What replaces shame today?

Another view

Shame is often harmful regardless of type.

More from Louis Kronenberger

  1. Old age is an excellent time for outrage. My goal is to say or do at least one outrageous thing every week.

    Permalink to quote #8
  2. Privacy was in sufficient danger before TV appeared, and TV has given it its death blow.

    Permalink to quote #10
  3. Nothing so soothes our vanity as a display of greater vanity in others; it make us vain, in fact, of our modesty.

    Permalink to quote #7

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