Gratitude and humility

Unchanged

I believe that gratitude and humility restrain arrogance. Societies that forget gratitude become cruel, even when they call themselves moral.

Confidence

High

What could disprove it

Show that cultures of ingratitude and pride produce more benevolent treatment of the weak than cultures of gratitude and humility.

Current support

Gratitude counters entitlement and tribal hatred.

Humble leaders and citizens are less likely to dehumanize opponents.

Sample: Emmons (UC Davis) gratitude interventions show measurable increases in wellbeing and prosocial behavior in randomized trials.

Supporting resources

Studies, data, books, and references that help express and test this belief.

UC Berkeley summary of studies linking gratitude practices to wellbeing and reduced aggression.

Leading research program on gratitude, entitlement, and social harmony.

Version history

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