Abstract
In this essay, we examine the grounds, nature and content, status, acquisition and role, and justification of gratitude in Kant's ethical system, making use of student notes from Kant's lectures on ethics. We are especially interested in questions about the significance of gratitude in Kant's ethics. We examine Kant's claim that gratitude is a sacred duty, because it cannot be discharged, and explain how this claim is consistent with his insistence that "ought" implies "can." We argue that for Kant a proper understanding of self-esteem is importantly related to, if not necessary for, possession of the virtue of gratitude.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 295-320 |
| Number of pages | 26 |
| Journal | Southern Journal of Philosophy |
| Volume | 49 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 2011 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Philosophy
Cite this
The moral significance of gratitude in Kant's ethics. / Smit, Houston; Timmons, Mark C.
In: Southern Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 49, No. 4, 12.2011, p. 295-320.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The moral significance of gratitude in Kant's ethics
AU - Smit, Houston
AU - Timmons, Mark C
PY - 2011/12
Y1 - 2011/12
N2 - In this essay, we examine the grounds, nature and content, status, acquisition and role, and justification of gratitude in Kant's ethical system, making use of student notes from Kant's lectures on ethics. We are especially interested in questions about the significance of gratitude in Kant's ethics. We examine Kant's claim that gratitude is a sacred duty, because it cannot be discharged, and explain how this claim is consistent with his insistence that "ought" implies "can." We argue that for Kant a proper understanding of self-esteem is importantly related to, if not necessary for, possession of the virtue of gratitude.
AB - In this essay, we examine the grounds, nature and content, status, acquisition and role, and justification of gratitude in Kant's ethical system, making use of student notes from Kant's lectures on ethics. We are especially interested in questions about the significance of gratitude in Kant's ethics. We examine Kant's claim that gratitude is a sacred duty, because it cannot be discharged, and explain how this claim is consistent with his insistence that "ought" implies "can." We argue that for Kant a proper understanding of self-esteem is importantly related to, if not necessary for, possession of the virtue of gratitude.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=83455261981&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.2041-6962.2011.00077.x
DO - 10.1111/j.2041-6962.2011.00077.x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:83455261981
VL - 49
SP - 295
EP - 320
JO - Southern Journal of Philosophy
JF - Southern Journal of Philosophy
SN - 0038-4283
IS - 4
ER -