Self-hatred and shame

Abstract

This paper argues for an explanation of self-hatred where quintessential cases of self-hatred are caused by shame. Self-hatred (hatred directed at oneself) is distinguished from other-hatred (hatred directed at others). While the latter has enjoyed much attention, the former has enjoyed little. Self-hatred, however, is interestingly different from its other-focused cousin in that other-hatred presupposes a sense of positive self-worth while self-hatred does not. In explaining self-hatred, I first contend that the formal object of hatred is best understood as incorrigibility, then I show that self-hatred involves identifying oneself with a negative trait, causing a self-evaluation of incorrigibility. This kind of identification calls for explanation. To this end, I argue that existential shame not only leads one to internalize a globalizing negative evaluation but also leads one to identify themselves with the negative trait at the heart of the self-evaluation of incorrigibility. These facets of existential shame, then, explain some quintessential cases of self-hatred.