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GENEROSITY: VARIATIONS ON A THEME FROM ARISTOTLE TO LEVINAS
Author(s) -
SANCHEZ CARLOS ALBERTO
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the heythrop journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.127
H-Index - 10
eISSN - 1468-2265
pISSN - 0018-1196
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-2265.2009.00480.x
Subject(s) - generosity , phenomenon , theme (computing) , relation (database) , philosophy , epistemology , point (geometry) , theology , mathematics , computer science , geometry , database , operating system
This paper traces the concept and phenomenon of generosity from Aristotle to Emannuel Levinas and beyond. The question motivating this investigation is: must the generous act be restricted by a rational calculation of correct, or prudent, giving? Answers to this question vary. Aristotle and Kant would answer in the affirmative, while Emerson and Levinas would (apparently) not. The bulk of this paper is dedicated to Levinas's characterization of excessive generosity as a condition for the fundamental ethical relation, namely, the generous welcome of the Other. I end by considering the phenomenon of generosity from the point of view of the mid‐20 th century Mexican philosopher, Emilio Uranga.