The Enlightenment of Max Schelers Theory of Shame on Moral Education for College Students

Abstract

Cultivating a sense of shame is an essential part of the growth and development of college students in the new era. Max Schelers theory of shame encompasses two forms—self-reflection and facing others—and two types—bodily shame and spiritual shame. Contemporary college students exhibit three phenomena of shame: ignorance shame due to lack of self-discipline, fearlessness shame due to lack of external discipline, and regret shame due to lack of action. Moral educators in higher education institutions should fully leverage the educational value of Schelers theory of shame to foster self-discipline through self-reflection, external discipline by learning from role models, and action through confronting regret, thereby achieving the unity of personal and external discipline.