Frédéric Gros's 'A Philosophy of Shame' explores ethical dimensions of shame in contemporary politics

In 'A Philosophy of Shame,' published by Verso in 2025 and translated by Andrew James Bliss, Frédéric Gros examines shame as a constructive ethical element. The French philosopher posits that shame encourages self-restraint and connects individual experiences to broader social and political issues. He investigates shame within the frameworks of neoliberal class structures, racialization, and the trauma associated with sexual violence. Drawing on psychoanalytic theory, Gros suggests that the presence of others shapes our feelings of shame. He references thinkers such as James Baldwin and Franz Fanon, portraying shame as a deterrent to misconduct. Notable contemporary instances include Zohran Mamdani addressing New Yorkers' shame over Benjamin Netanyahu's 2024 arrest warrant, juxtaposed with Donald Trump's lack of shame during a Knesset speech. Gros also emphasizes how feminist activism has reshaped views on shame and its ability to galvanize political action.