Topics Philosophers

Question Could someone elaborate on Nietzsche criticism of shame. In particular when he says 'What is most human about you? - To spare someone shame." I recognize the connection between this, and the falling tightrope walker in the part one of _Thus Spoke Zarathustra_, and that he falls because the buffoon shames him. I conclude from this that Nietzsche means to shame someone is to point them away from the path towards the overman. This, coupled with his belief that admitting you are wrong, even when you are right, is a good thing, leads to the idea that humouring someone, allowing them to persist in false ideas, which could do them harm, is the good thing to do. Does he mean then that we shouldn't correct people in their mistakes for fear of shaming them? This seems at odds with the purpose and practice of philosophy.

Accepted:
May 26, 2010

Comments

Dear Friend,

You have pointed out perhaps my most favorite Nietzsche quote. It's from The Gay Science: "What do you consider the most humane? - To spare someone shame. What is the seal of liberation? - To no longer be ashamed in front of oneself." I have told many people, including my students, that if I ever got a tattoo it would be this quote! I still don't have the tat' but I stand by the claim.

I don't think he is saying anything about not calling people out when they are wrong. He is the first one to do the calling, after all.

Instead I think FN is worried about the totalizing sense of shame that overtakes some people - particularly during his time and place. We are talking about an era where even piano legs had to have a sense of modesty!

The problem is that feeling shame is it can be like saying "No" to life. It is the opposite of vitality, of moral and intellectual adventure. Someone who is ashamed of himself will never take a risk nor do anything bold for fear of further embarrassment. People who are prone to shame are easily controlled, as the shamers will take advantage to keep the shamed in their place. This is one aspect of his critique of Christianity.

I think it is fine, in his view, to correct others and even laugh at them -- if they are equal enough to you to be able to laugh back, or laugh at you when you are wrong. But to correct others with the goal of shaming would be, let's say it, shameful! (Confusing footnote: This is why he enjoys writing about Christianity so much: his aim is indeed to cause shame to the shamers, because they have it coming. Nietzsche is a wily one!)