ABSTRACT
Discussion of gratitude tends to be cheerful, at least by the standards of moral philosophy. It is, as a rule, pleasant to contemplate the good deeds of others from which we have benefited, and even the duties entailed by gratitude are only rarely oppressive. Gratitude seems to focus on the bright side of life, where some people help others, usually intentionally and with the thought of beneficence in mind; and those helped feel thankful.
