Educating gratitude: Some conceptual and moral misgivings

Abstract

Abstract:In a rapidly expanding academic literature on gratitude, psychologists, philosophers and educational theorists have argued that gratitude is not just of great psycho-social importance but also of moral significance. It would therefore seem to follow that the promotion of gratitude is also of moral educational significance. In this regard, recent attempts by psychologists to develop practical interventions designed to make people more grateful should be of some interest.However, while appreciating some benefits of such work, the present paper argues that much of it falls short of the educational task of developing an adequate pedagogy of gratitude focused on assisting learners' acquaintance with the complex normative grammar (moral and conceptual) of gratitude discourse. With reference to ongoing work by the authors, the paper proceeds to explore further this important dimension of educating gratitude.

Why should I be grateful? The morality of gratitude in contexts marked by injustice

“…The prosocial and perfectionistic justifications which undergird much discussion of (particularly propositional) gratitude must also be understood as culturally bounded. As Morgan, Gulliford, and Carr (2015) education. There is thus a sense that gratitude might be seen as a mannerism or habit that is culturally conditioned within particular contexts (influenced as well by subculture, religion, class, etc.).…”

“…As Morgan, Gulliford and Carr (2015) note, in place of simplistic endorsements of gratitude and positive reframing, a more critical focus on teaching for and about gratitude could help students to understand nuances and complexities in age-appropriate real-life situations, to "appreciate the complex grammar of gratitude discourse" in a morally complex world (p. 12). As an alternative to teaching simply to cultivate gratitude or appreciation generally, teachers can facilitate students consideration of whether and how gratitude may or may not be warranted in cases marked by deceptive or self-interested 'beneficence', for instance, and how in some cases expecting gratitude may be unreasonable even if it is ideal, when people are facing hardships.…”

Gratitude’s place in second wave positive psychology

“…Worrisome is that developing trait gratitude to reach a certain goal such as enhanced mental well-being, as an extrinsic or instrumental incentive, can be ineffective and even hurtful (Morgan, Gulliford, & Carr, 2015;Sin, Della Porta, & Lyubomirsky, 2011). Trait gratitude should be perceived as an intrinsic and moral virtue on its own and it should be sincerely felt to provide benefits for mental well-being and thriving (Kristjánsson, 2013).…”

Inapt gratitude: against expansionist views

“…Apt gratitude includes both recognizing when gratitude is appropriate and recognizing what gratitude requires. Put another way, "gratitude would only count as appropriate when felt 'at the right times, about the right things, towards the right people, for the right end and in the right way'" (Morgan et al 2015, 101, citing Aristotle 1985, 44 [1106b).…”