ABSTRACT
Both the nature and value of humility are controversial in philosophy. Diverse and contrary definitions of humility abound. Some hold it to be a hindrance to a good life, whereas others hold it to be essential. Without denying the intuition of many that the word humility can be and is used by some people to denote a state of chronic shame or low self-esteem, lack of ambition, obsequiousness, servility, or small-mindedness (so there are kinds of humility that are character defects), we will here offer and defend an account of humility as an admirable, valuable trait. We will situate our view vis-à-vis rival views, most of which also take humility to be a virtue. Clarity about the nature of humility is vital for empirical research into the topic, and providing such clarity is the essentially philosophical part of empirical research into the trait.
