Shame, Guilt and Moral Education

The concepts marked by "shame" and "guilt" are analysed briefly, and their merits and demerits as types of moral motivation reviewed. Both concepts appear as inexpellable from human life, although different cultures may weigh them differently and give them different contents. Each has certain advantages and disadvantages, but both may be paralysing rather than morally constructive. Various alternative motivations are considered, including fear and desire; and the conclusion is reached that the moral educator's prime task is to introduce children to forms of life in which they may be pleasureably invested, and where their desire is disciplined by the demands of the form of life itself rather than by guilt or shame.