Date Posted:00:58:17 04/25/05 Mon Author: Chris Subject: Re: Shame-based vs. guilt-based culture In reply to:
Tony Lang
's message, "Re: Shame-based vs. guilt-based culture" on 08:46:37 04/13/05 Wed
One good note is that a large number of Japanese dont follow the opinions of their leaders.
I don't know. Maybe a large number in absolute terms, but probably not a large number relatively to the whole population.
My other example was about Turkey, how they try to cover-up and refuse to historically work-up the genocide of the Armenians. This weekend I saw even Turkish students in Heidelberg making a demonstration in the main street, complaining about the EU mentioning this issue and demanding that muslimic victims should also be kept in mind. It's like the Neonazis prescrinding from the Nazi crimes by saying that the German victims of the Hamburg and Dresden bomb attacks should also be considered. Turkey clearly proves to be a shame-based nation.
This whole thing is also about Turkey's wish to join the EU. By denying their crimes in history, they only affirm the voices of those who say that Turkey is not yet ripe for becoming a member. If they had openly admitted this evil part of their history and these crimes of their ancestors, they would have gained a much better reputation here in Europe than by denying it. In a guilt-based culture, you gain respect if you admit mistakes, if you apologize. In a shame-based culture, that's not possible. The whole dispute about the possible accession of Turkey to the EU is very much a problem of a shame-based culture wanting to join a community of guilt-based cultures. Many of the politicians may not be aware of this fundamental difference when they try to apply the same standards to Turkey.
You may think this discussion is off topic on the RSQUBF forum. Actually, it is not. Just make the transfer to UBF for yourself.
