Abstract

Though we are inclined to think those who have acted wrongly should feel bad, we also worry that feeling bad may be futile: that it may only make things worse. I argue that we ought to feel bad not as a way to secure good outcomes, but because feeling bad is part of what it is to be respectful and to value our ethical standing. Employing Aristotle's method of appearances, I provide an account which can explain our confident judgements and resolve cases we find puzzling. In Part One I consider our initial intuitions and puzzles, and explain my method and assumptions. In Part Two I analyse the emotions of guilt, shame, regret and remorse, arguing that each of these emotions are appropriate in different circumstances. In Part Three, I use this analysis to explain the clear cases and resolve the problem cases.