The modern history of humiliation is different from the history of public shaming; both share certain features and practices, but differ as to intentions and goals. In this talk, Ute Frevert argues that liberal societies have made some progress in abolishing public shaming. But they have failed to bring about “decency“ in Avishai Margalit’s terms – a general refusal to humiliate others.  

She is the author of The Politics of Humiliation. A Modern History. 

Speaker: Professor Ute Frevert FBA, Director, Max Planck Institute for Human Development

Image: Daniel Defoe in the Pillory. Credit duncan1890 via Getty Images.