ARISTOTLE AND XUNZI ON SHAME, MORAL EDUCATION, AND THE GOOD LIFE

Abstract

Zhao’s book Aristotle and Xunzi on Shame, Moral Education, and the Good Life comprises five chapters and an epilogue. It offers a significant contribution to the comparative study of Aristotle and Xunzi, two influential philosophers from distinct cultural and philosophical traditions—Greek and Chinese, respectively. By examining their perspectives on shame, moral education, and the good life, Zhao opens a vital cross-cultural dialogue that deepens our understanding of how emotions function in ethical formation. This book not only illuminates how each thinker constructs the role of shame within their moral frameworks but also invites interdisciplinary engagement with the complex nature of emotions in cultivating moral character and achieving a flourishing life.