The Olentangy Berlin Humanities Club Lecture Series, cosponsored by the Center for Ethics and Human Values, presents "Guilt, Shame and Morality" with Ohio State's Professor Justin D’Arms.
The lecture will take place in-person at Olentangy Berlin High School (3140 Berlin Station Road, Delaware, OH, 43015), room 1116, at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, February 8.
Abstract
Guilt and shame are both self-directed, social emotions and it’s easy to confuse them. But emotion researchers claim there are important differences. Guilt typically has to do with your own actions; and it only makes sense to feel guilty about things that you are responsible for or could control. Whereas shame is not necessarily about your actions at all. Someone could be ashamed of being too short or tall, or ashamed that his dad embezzled from their church.
First, we’ll discuss whether this distinction between guilt and shame is correct. Then we’ll think about some implications. Some say that guilt is a crucial component of morality, but others think we’d be better off without it. And it has often been argued that shame is irrational, pointless, or destructive. We will consider some strengths and weaknesses of these ideas about shame and guilt. What good might these emotions do for us, and are they worth it?
About the Lecturer
Justin D’Arms is a Professor of Philosophy at The Ohio State University. His research and teaching focus on values, emotions, and evolution. He received his BA from Princeton University and his PhD from the University of Michigan.
