Emotions of the Past: Aristotle and Xunzi on Shame, Moral Education, and the Good Life

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Despite recent advancements in the history of emotions and comparative studies, sustained cross-cultural analyses of emotions are still rare. Jingyi Jenny Zhao presents a significant work that draws on two philosophers from ancient Greek and early Chinese traditions to foster interdisciplinary discussions on the complex topic of emotions, particularly shame. The book features a comparative analysis of Greek and Chinese texts, linking ancient insights to modern debates on shame's role in moral education and social cohesion. Although Aristotle and Xunzi come from distinct social-historical and intellectual backgrounds, they share notable similarities: both view humans as community members with unique characteristics that differentiate them from other beings, and both emphasize the necessity of moral training for individuals to reach their potential and integrate into a well-ordered society. Their discussions on shame provide valuable insights into their views on human nature, moral education, and the good life. The work addresses methodological challenges relevant to cross-cultural comparisons and organizes discussions of ancient sources to integrate perspectives from both cultural traditions. This approach allows for detailed textual analysis while connecting to broader comparative questions.