The Role of Shame and Remorse in the Moral Development of Children

Abstract

Relying on the works of Fredrik Westerlund, Raimond Gaita, and Christopher Cordner this thesis will attempt to locate the significance of shame and remorse in the moral lives of children. It will compare them to other moral responses, like love and care, by examining them in the context of interpersonal morality. Whilst pointing out to the detrimental influence of shame, capable of distorting relationships, the thesis will argue for the transformative capacity of remorse. With the help of children’s literature, it will contextualise the views of the above philosophers and show the possibilities of moral improvement and transformation in the lives of children, arising from the experience of remorse. Finally, the thesis will map out in order to compare the educational environments where shame and remorse flourish, fleshing out what is morally significant about such environments.