Philosophical Perspectives on Existential Gratitude: Analytic, Continental, and Religious

Description

Existential gratitude-gratitude for one's very existence or life as a whole-is pervasive across the most influential human, cultural and religious traditions. Weaving together analytic and continental, as well as non-western and historical philosophical perspectives, this volume explores the nexus of gratitude, existence and God as an inter-subjective phenomenon for the first time. A team of leading scholars introduce existential gratitude as a perennially and characteristically human phenomenon, central to the distinctive life of our species. Attention is given to the conditions under which existence itself might be construed as having a gift-like or otherwise gratitude-inducing character. Drawing on a diversity of perspectives, chapters mark out new territory in philosophical inquiry, addressing whether and in what sense we ought to be grateful for our very existence. By analysing gratitude, this collection makes a novel contribution to the discourse on moral emotions, phenomenology, anti-natalism and theology.

Joshua Lee Harris is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at The King's University, Canada. Kirk Lougheed is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Center for Faith and Human Flourishing at LCC International University, Lithuania. He is also a Research Associate in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Neal DeRoo is Canada Research Chair in Phenomenology and Philosophy of Religion at The King's University, Canada.

This fine anthology of original essays constitutes a significant contribution to the growing philosophical and theological literature on existential gratitude. The authors represent a diversity of traditions and viewpoints, showcasing the broad range of issues and interests that come into play when considering this important topic. It deserves a wide audience and a place on graduate reading lists. * Travis Dumsday, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Concordia University of Edmonton, USA * Philosophical Perspectives on Existential Gratitude: Analytic, Continental, and Religious brings together nine provocative essays about existential gratitude. They shed light on existential gratitude from a variety of thought-provoking philosophical perspectives. The essays were a real addition to the existing literature on existential gratitude in psychology and interesting to read. * Lilian Jans-Beken, Independent Researcher, the Netherlands * This is an excellent collection. It demonstrates that philosophy becomes exciting and thought-provoking when a fundamental issue, such as existential gratitude, is addressed by first-rate scholars with diverse perspectives. * Yujin Nagasawa, H. G. Wood Professor of the Philosophy of Religion, University of Birmingham, UK * This rich collection of essays addresses an important and wide-spread phenomenon: existential gratitude. This phenomenon has not been sufficiently explored by philosophers, so this volume is timely. The contributors discuss existential gratitude by engaging with a wide array of philosophical traditions, periods, perspectives, and thinkers. * Klaas J. Kraay, Professor of Philosophy, Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada *