As I endeavour to gain a fuller understanding of shame, what it is and what it means it seems salient to understand the opposite of it. If I can understand the opposite of shame then I should be able to understand shame in a more complete way.
Evan says "My guess is that the opposite of shame is actually honour. This has the ability to take in the sense of relating to the community which I think is essential to a definition of shame." (end quote)
I think you make a good point Evan. Since writing this post I have though some more about shame and pride and I tend to agree with you that shame and pride may not be so opposite after all. Your idea of honour is an interesting one.
When you look at emotions overall maybe shame is quite unique in this way, of having an opposite. For example what is the opposite of anger. One could say maybe calm or happy or relaxed. But one could say the same about sad and anxious as well. So they are not opposites like pride or honour are.
As I was reading the book, which I can’t even remember what it was now, it was just one of those sentences that you seem to notice and sticks in the mind. Feelings having opposites.
Here are some defintions of pride:
the state or feeling of being proud.
a becoming or dignified sense of what is due to oneself or one's position or character; self-respect; self-esteem.
pleasure or satisfaction taken in something done by or belonging to oneself or believed to reflect credit upon oneself
the best of a group, class, society
the most flourishing state or period
splendor, magnificence, or pomp.
ornament or adornment.
pride and joy, someone or something cherished, valued, or enjoyed above all others
Now all I have to do is work out what is the opposite of these.
Graffiti
My guess is that the oppostie of shame is actually honour. This has the ability to take in the sense of relating to the community which I think is essential to a definition of shame.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! Because opposites attract!
ReplyDeleteEvan’s comment is interesting. If a person gets no feedback from other people (i.e. community), can shame happen? For example, if I’m a hermit living away from civilization and I build a really sloppy little hut to live in because I’m too lazy to build a nice one, will I feel shame for not putting out more effort? If I think nobody will ever see the hut except for me, I don’t think I would feel shame for being lazy (but maybe a little disappointed if the roof leaks). If somebody showed up to visit and asked if I built the hut myself, THEN I’d feel shame for giving this person cause to think I’m incapable of building a decent hut, or I’d lie and deny building it (which would likely result in shame anyway).
ReplyDeleteHello KYLady,
ReplyDeleteYou have made a comment about what I am putting together right now on my next little piece on shame. So my response will be soon in my next post on this topic. There must be some psychic communication going on here!
Graffiti
There is a very good book called Mother-Infant Attachment and Psychoanalysis
ReplyDeleteThe Eyes of Shame By Mary Y. Ayers.
Thanks for that UnmotheredChild.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to have an interesting blog
Welcome
Tony