Gratefulness, Resentfulness, and Some Modern Slogans

GMU Working Paper in Economics No. 21-15

Economic Affairs, forthcoming

13 Pages Posted: 30 Jun 2021 Last revised: 10 Jan 2022

See all articles by Daniel B. Klein

Daniel B. Klein

George Mason University - Department of Economics; George Mason University - Mercatus Center

Date Written: June 28, 2021

Abstract

Scholars distinguish between gratitude and gratefulness. Both sentiments involve an appreciation of the benefits that one enjoys. Gratitude, however, also involves a positive feeling directed to the benefactor. Gratefulness does not necessarily involve any benefactor, much less a feeling towards one (‘I am grateful for the warm sunshine’). I suggest a parallel distinction between resentment and resentfulness. I suggest that in the primeval band resentfulness would be provoked by inequality and by non-inclusiveness, and give rise to proper resentment. But we are not in the band any more. Now, resentfulness is bad, and it should be deemed an atavism. Gratefulness is, rather, a virtue, and should be encouraged. This article suggests that the propagandistic power of the modern slogans of ‘inclusiveness’ and ‘equity’ is atavistic.

Keywords: Gratitude, gratefulness, resentment, resentfulness, punishment, vengeance, virtue, God

JEL Classification: A12, A13, B12, Z12

Suggested Citation

Klein, Daniel B., Gratefulness, Resentfulness, and Some Modern Slogans (June 28, 2021). GMU Working Paper in Economics No. 21-15, Economic Affairs, forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3875814 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3875814

Daniel B. Klein (Contact Author)

George Mason University - Department of Economics ( email )

4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
United States

HOME PAGE: http://economics.gmu.edu/people/dklein

George Mason University - Mercatus Center ( email )

3434 Washington Blvd., 4th Floor
Arlington, VA 22201
United States

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
81
Abstract Views
643
Rank
479,144
PlumX Metrics