traditionally (which is where Chesterton would be coming from) self-criticism is a rational assessment ones own failings (typically due to ones passions, which

traditionally (which is where Chesterton would be coming from) self-criticism is a rational assessment ones own failings (typically due to ones passions, which are by this definition irrational) self-hatred would be a potential emotional response to that assessment and may or may not be reasonable. a self-hating murderer may be on the right track, or at least on a better track than a self-justifying or indifferent murderer, although Chesterton would almost certainly make the obvious Christian point here i am not particularly versed in modern psychology, beyond what a reasonably educated layman would pick up in passing. i think the old timey folks like GKC had a better handle on what makes people happy, in the greek sense of that term, and I view self-criticism as an important aspect of that happiness in order to rationally assess ones situation and make improvements to it