Naked: The Dark Side of Shame and Moral Life

Shame is a morally valuable emotion that helps us realize when we fail to be the people we aspire to be, but the lived reality of shame is far more complex and darker than this. It can cause self-destructive and violent behavior, and chronic shame can cause painful psychological damage. In Naked, Krista K. Thomason takes a hard look at the reality of shame, arguing that it involves a tension between identity and self-conception. She extends her analysis to our current social and political landscape, where shaming has increased dramatically due to the proliferation of social media platforms. Thomason grapples with the good and bad features of shame, its numerous gradations and complexity, and ultimately of its essential place in our moral lives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 10 October 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Shame is a complex and multifaceted emotion that holds significant moral value. It serves as a powerful tool for self-realization, helping us to identify when we fall short of the ideals we aspire to embody. When we fail to live up to the standards, values, and ideals that constitute a virtuous life, we experience shame. However, the lived reality of shame is far more intricate and profound than mere failure to reach our ideals. It encompasses a visceral discomfort with vulnerability, including feelings of shame related to nudity, sex, our bodies, and perceived weaknesses or flaws that we cannot control.

Shame can lead to self-destructive and even violent behavior, causing profound psychological damage. It operates on a deep level, shaping our self-perceptions and relationships with others. Shame can overshadow our sense of self, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth. Chronic shame can erode our emotional well-being, leaving us feeling isolated, helpless, and powerless.

In her book "Naked," Krista K. Thomason delves into the intricate nature of shame. She argues that shame involves a tension between identity and self-conception, as what causes us shame both encompasses and is distinct from our sense of self. We experience shame because we are not always who we believe ourselves to be. Thomason extends her analysis to the contemporary social and political landscape, where the proliferation of social media platforms has led to a dramatic increase in shaming practices. While these online shaming tactics can be wielded in harmful ways, they also have the potential to root out racist and sexist views and empower marginalized groups to confront oppression.

This raises important questions about the moral implications of using shame in this manner. Thomason grapples with these questions and offers a comprehensive account of shame that encompasses its positive and negative aspects, its various gradations, and its essential place in our moral lives. She sheds light on the ways in which shame can be leveraged for personal growth and social change, as well as the risks associated with its excessive or misused use.

Through her thoughtful and nuanced exploration of shame, Thomason provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of this complex emotion. Her account makes sense of shame's complexities, recognizing its potential for both harm and healing. By acknowledging the role of shame in our moral lives, we can cultivate greater empathy, compassion, and self-awareness, leading to more ethical and fulfilling relationships with ourselves and others.

Weight: 382g
Dimension: 156 x 236 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197746868