In recent years studies have been conducted with data that support the benefits of the practice of generosity, some humanist-existent authors, in particular Erich Fromm and Vikor Frankl, emphasize ethical values and love in their different variants.
In this sense, Fromm states that ethical values and love are a source of psychological well-being and a characteristic of emotionally healthy people (Oberst, 2005).
- Generosity and gratitude are two important concepts that reflect the excellence of personal character (Emmons and Sheldon.
- 2002); they are also.
- In a way.
- Complementary.
The relationship between these two concepts begins with an emotional process of “giving” material property, advice or assistance to another person without expecting reciprocity; generosity is a prosocial behavior that provides well-being to the other person (beneficiary).
Maslow (2001) speaks of the “generous nature of the human being in the face of selfishness”. He claims that there is a relationship between generous behavior and psychological health, as generous behavior comes from “abundance. “And “inner wealth. “
On the other hand, selfish behavior is a phenomenon of internal poverty, typical of neurotic people.
“Virtue and generosity are rewarded in an impenetrable way. ” Nelson Mandela.
From an ethical point of view, gratitude is defined as a moral virtue that, as such, denotes good behavior (McCullogh, Kilpatrick, Emmons
However, the definition, as moral conduct, requires thanking mandates for impersonal benefits (Blumenfeld, 1962).
Recognizing and appreciating the person who offered us help does not mean that we are indebted to her, although many have suggested that gratitude and debt are equivalent, are essentially different (Watkins, Scheer, Ovnicek and Kolts, 2006). indebted person to make a payment to the creditor.
It is important to note that the creditor’s action must necessarily be generous and not conduct intended to provide a reward benefit. The generous act cannot have selfish objectives.
“Generosity is a gift that everyone can give themselves, is there nothing better to feel good about?-Franz-Olivier Giesbert-
Generosity has been studied in particular in the context of scientific research on the origin of altruism. In addition, many empirical studies currently believe that this is a good indicator of mental health.
The sense of community is also the basis of psychological well-being, so its absence is an indicator of poor psychological adjustment and mental disorder.
When does the child stop developing a certain level of community feeling?Because, for example, of an overly authoritarian or permissive education, among other things?Feelings of non-belonging, inadequacy, inferiority and the famous inferiority complex arise (Oberst, 2005).
These feelings of inferiority are hard to tolerate. Therefore, the usual tendency is to compensate them with what Adler calls a “desire for superiority” or “hunger for power”, an aspect that, according to the Adlerian psychology, is the basis of any psychological disorder.
The individual with feelings of inferiority – and therefore with a deficient sense of community – would develop what Adler calls a “neurotic disposition. “(Adler, 1912/1993).
Can neurotic disposition have several manifestations, which today would be more precisely defined in neuroticism?personality trait and psychosomatic disorders and personality disorders.
From this supposed inferiority arises a distortion of emotional life: the neurotic is no longer able to relate to others naturally and spontaneously, on the contrary: to compensate for his feeling of inferiority, he constantly tries to win triumphs.
When this provision is accentuated or psychosocial problems converge, distortions of character, such as greed, resentment, malice, cruelty, etc. , can occur, all to escape the unbearable feeling of feeling inferior or underestimated.
“Generosity appreciates the happiness of others as if he were responsible for it. ” – Count of Lautréamont-