A Philosophy of Shame: A Revolutionary Emotion
An original reflection on shame as the central feeling of our age — the expression of an anger that is the necessary condition for new struggles

Can shame become a source of political strength? Faced with injustice, growing inequality and systemic violence, we cry out in shame. We feel ashamed of obscene wealth amid wider deprivation. We feel ashamed of humanity for its ruthless and relentless exploitation of the earth. We feel ashamed of the racism and sexism that permeate society and our everyday lives.

This difficult emotion is not just sadness or a withdrawal into oneself, nor is it a paralysing sense of inadequacy. As Frédéric Gros argues in A Philosophy of Shame, it arises when our perception of reality rejects passivity and resignation and instead embraces imagination. Shame thus becomes the expression of an anger that is a powerful, transformative force —one that assumes a radical character.

In dialogue with authors such as Primo Levi, Annie Ernaux, Virginie Despentes and James Baldwin, Gros explores a concept that is still little understood in its anthropological, moral, psychological and political depths. Shame is a revolu­tionary sentiment because it lies at the foundation of any path of subjective recognition, transformation and struggle.
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A Philosophy of Shame: A Revolutionary Emotion
An original reflection on shame as the central feeling of our age — the expression of an anger that is the necessary condition for new struggles

Can shame become a source of political strength? Faced with injustice, growing inequality and systemic violence, we cry out in shame. We feel ashamed of obscene wealth amid wider deprivation. We feel ashamed of humanity for its ruthless and relentless exploitation of the earth. We feel ashamed of the racism and sexism that permeate society and our everyday lives.

This difficult emotion is not just sadness or a withdrawal into oneself, nor is it a paralysing sense of inadequacy. As Frédéric Gros argues in A Philosophy of Shame, it arises when our perception of reality rejects passivity and resignation and instead embraces imagination. Shame thus becomes the expression of an anger that is a powerful, transformative force —one that assumes a radical character.

In dialogue with authors such as Primo Levi, Annie Ernaux, Virginie Despentes and James Baldwin, Gros explores a concept that is still little understood in its anthropological, moral, psychological and political depths. Shame is a revolu­tionary sentiment because it lies at the foundation of any path of subjective recognition, transformation and struggle.
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A Philosophy of Shame: A Revolutionary Emotion

A Philosophy of Shame: A Revolutionary Emotion

A Philosophy of Shame: A Revolutionary Emotion

A Philosophy of Shame: A Revolutionary Emotion

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Overview

An original reflection on shame as the central feeling of our age — the expression of an anger that is the necessary condition for new struggles

Can shame become a source of political strength? Faced with injustice, growing inequality and systemic violence, we cry out in shame. We feel ashamed of obscene wealth amid wider deprivation. We feel ashamed of humanity for its ruthless and relentless exploitation of the earth. We feel ashamed of the racism and sexism that permeate society and our everyday lives.

This difficult emotion is not just sadness or a withdrawal into oneself, nor is it a paralysing sense of inadequacy. As Frédéric Gros argues in A Philosophy of Shame, it arises when our perception of reality rejects passivity and resignation and instead embraces imagination. Shame thus becomes the expression of an anger that is a powerful, transformative force —one that assumes a radical character.

In dialogue with authors such as Primo Levi, Annie Ernaux, Virginie Despentes and James Baldwin, Gros explores a concept that is still little understood in its anthropological, moral, psychological and political depths. Shame is a revolu­tionary sentiment because it lies at the foundation of any path of subjective recognition, transformation and struggle.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781804294154
Publisher: Verso Books
Publication date: 06/10/2025
Pages: 176
Product dimensions: 5.88(w) x 8.56(h) x 0.62(d)

About the Author

FRÉDÉRIC GROS is Professor of Political Humanities at Sciences Po Paris. He edited Michel Foucault’s books in the Bibliothèque de la Pléiade (Gallimard) and his lectures at the Collège de France from 1981 to 1984. He is the author of a number of essays on con-temporary issues, including disobedience, shame and war. He is also the author of the bestselling book A Philosophy of Walking.

Table of Contents

Foreword
1. A Bad Reputation
2. Societies Without Honour?
3. Social Disdain
4. A Ghost Story
5. Melancholy
6. The Total Social Fact: Incest and Rape (Traumatic Shame)
7. The Sexual Foundations of the Republic
8. Aidos
9. Philosophy as the Great Shamer
10. Future Imperfect
11. Intersectional Shame
12. Systemic Shame
13. Revolutionary Shame
Notes
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