Shame and the Intensity of Contrasts

Instances of shaming and being ashamed described in Chap. 2 generate explicit or implicit contrasts with non-shameful actions, social policies, practices, and so on. This chapter describes cases of shame that stem from the intensity of the contrast between what is and what ought to be that can itself produce a sense of shame. This result can obtain when different types of values clash as well as when they do not. Examples are provided from history, literature, and events in our historical epoch. Further, cases of shame of oneself and shame of and for others are discussed as well as how we experience them through the lived body’s “body image” and “motor intentionality.”