Perspectives On Gratitude: An Interdisciplinary Approach

Abstract

This is a timely volume that captures and extends the current trend for writing about gratitude. There are fifteen papers split roughly equally between philosophy and psychology in their focus, though several consider aspects of both disciplines and one or two are harder neatly to classify in this way. The bulk of the collection arose from a 2013 seminar organized by the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues at the University of Birmingham. The book falls into five sections: ‘Gratitude and flourishing’ (exploring the relation between gratitude and, in various senses, well-being); ‘Gratitude and related concepts’ (those concepts being humility, appreciation and forgiveness); ‘Problems about gratitude’ (a mixed bag of interesting potential puzzle cases—a wholly philosophical section); ‘Spiritual and religious dimensions of gratitude’ (which brings philosophical and psychological techniques to bear on questions arising in religious and spiritual traditions); ‘Gratitude interventions in education and research’ (in which psychologists consider how the study and promotion of gratitude as a phenomenon and a conscious practice might benefit society). The editor adds a postscript.