The Greatest Of Virtues

To the Editor:

I was excited to see your Thanksgiving editorial calling our attention to the attitude that underlies this holiday, gratitude, for two reasons. First,  I am the researcher cited in the editorial. Second, I am a native of Newtown (NHS, Class of 1976).

In an otherwise upbeat piece, I was a bit perplexed by the sentence, “Leave it to modern science to introduce selfishness to gratitude.” The spirit of gratitude is antithetical to selfishness, as all of the research that I and others have conducted demonstrates. In fact, narcissistic entitlement and perceptions of deservingess are serious obstacles to gratitude, so much so that I devote a chapter to exploring the pernicious effects of these vices in my recent book, Thanks!

 On the other hand, gratitude requires transcending the self, humbly acknowledging the many ways in which we are supported and sustained by others. The most important message of gratitude, accordingly documented in the editorial but undermined by the previous quote, is that gratitude not only feels good, but also motivates doing good. In fact, gratitude is the central attitude underlying the giving back of goodness that stimulates generosity and compassionate giving. Modern science is therefore supporting centuries-old wisdom that gratitude is the greatest of the virtues.

Sincerely,

Robert Emmons

Professor of Psychology

University of California, Davis

2716 Emerald Bay Drive, Davis, Calif.           November 27, 2007