It was less than thirty years ago that American society referred to illegitimate children as “bastards,” promiscuous women as “sluts,” and homeless people as “bums.” Such labels are less commonly used today because they are considered derogatory. However, according to some modern-day critics, derogatory labels are one of the chief ways that society discourages destructive behavior. In the view of these critics, the shame associated with being called a drunk, for example, is powerful enough to deter people from excessive drinking.

Many of those who feel America is in moral decline believe that society would benefit from a renewal of public shame. As columnists Jonathan Alter and Pat Wingert write, “Properly calibrated, shame falls somewhere between mild embarrassment and cruel humiliation. The goal is not mere retribution but conformity—good conformity, the kind...