Transpersonal Gratitude: Nature, Expressions and Links

Abstract

The concept of gratitude has always been a topic of interest for philosophers and theologians, and more recently for psychologists, in terms of its role in social harmony and its implications in a morally good life. This research proposes to conceptualise a modality of gratitude which has not received the philosophical attention that it merits: transpersonal gratitude, or gratitude for a benefit in the absence of benevolent agency, human or otherwise. After an examination of the existing literature, the first few chapters offer a definition of the concept of transpersonal gratitude, as well as a description of the phenomenological features of the experience. Gratitude in the absence of a benefactor is conceptualised as distinct from the personal and theistic modalities, focused on the significance and salience of the gift, inducing feelings of connectedness and broadening the scope of the grateful conduct. The introduction of the concept of transpersonal gratitude as a distinct modality raises a few questions in terms of the applicability of current perspectives on gratitude. This research addresses issues such as the centrality of the benefactor’s kind intention and the requirements of grateful expression and argues for a shift in philosophical considerations of gratitude from strict triadic accounts towards a dyadic view which allows a better understanding and conceptualisation of the spectrum of grateful experiences. The moral worth of gratitude and the implications of transpersonal gratitude in morality are discussed, both as an emotion and a character trait. Subsequently, this research argues for a virtue of gratitude and suggests that such a virtue can be conceptualised according to a dyadic transpersonal model. Finally, we explore the links between transpersonal gratitude and empathy, as well as humility, to propose that transpersonal gratitude fosters a positive relationship of dependence between the individual and the world and as such, it is an important component of the morally good life.