Prokof'ev A.V. Moral and sexual shame (Vladimir Solovyev – Max Scheller – David Velleman)

Abstract: This article subjects to analysis the question of whether it is legal to prescribe to sexual shame the status of the moral emotion. This question emerges due to the fact that moral within the framework of prevailing in the modern ethics theoretical paradigm, is being viewed as a combination of values and norms orienting each person to refuse to cause harm to others, help him, and care for him. Sexual shame is not directly connected with this normative content, thus its moral character becomes questioned. The author determines the two approaches that are used to eliminate such doubt. The first is aimed at proving the moral importance of sexual bans, in relation to which sexual shame is a sanction. The second – appeals to the meaning of sexual in order for a moral subject to form and preserve the ability to self-regulation. The subject of this research is the ethical concepts that unite the first and the second arguments; while the direct task consists in the assessment of their theoretical accomplishment. This is how the following historical-ethical sequence emerges: Vladimir Solovyev – Max Scheller – David Velleman. The methodological research is based upon the supposition that using the analysis of anthropological conditions and psychological mechanisms of moral experience, it is possible to attain a number of justified, although auxiliary, arguments in favor of expansion of the boundaries of the normative content of moral beyond the limits of requirements associated with the good of others.

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