What is the relation between shame and shamelessness? It may seem
obvious: shamelessness is simply the absence of shame. But on reflection, it becomes
clear that the story is considerably more complicated. Michelle Mason's intriguing "On
Shamelessness" prompts such reflection (albeit unintentionally). Mason argues that we
should be mindful of the "moral importance of shame" and "unapologetic in its
defense" (403), and she does so via an examination of shamelessness and an argument
to the effect that shamelessness is (with some exceptions) a moral fault. The tacit
assumption is that insofar as shamelessness is a moral fault, the value of shame is
vindicated. I challenge that assumption.

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• Shame and Shamelessness