The Philosophy of Envy
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
Published:20th Oct '22
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
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- Hardback£75.00(9781316519172)
Envy is almost universally condemned. But is its reputation warranted? Sara Protasi argues envy is multifaceted and sometimes even virtuous.
Envy is almost universally condemned and feared. But is its bad reputation always warranted? In this book, Sara Protasi argues that envy is more multifaceted than it seems, and that some varieties of it can be productive and even virtuous.Envy is almost universally condemned and feared. But is its bad reputation always warranted? In this book, Sara Protasi argues that envy is more multifaceted than it seems, and that some varieties of it can be productive and even virtuous. Protasi brings together empirical evidence and philosophical research to generate a novel view according to which there are four kinds of envy: emulative, inert, aggressive, and spiteful. For each kind, she individuates different situational antecedents, phenomenological expressions, motivational tendencies, and behavioral outputs. She then develops the normative implications of this taxonomy from a moral and prudential perspective, in the domain of personal loving relationships, and in the political sphere. A historical appendix completes the book. Through a careful and comprehensive investigation of envy's complexity, and its multifarious implications for human relations and human value, The Philosophy of Envy surprisingly reveals that envy plays a crucial role in safeguarding our happiness.
Protasi's book gives readers a much better look at the green-eyed monster. Her careful analysis dispels some of the myths about envy while also being honest about its dangers. This book is a thorough and thoughtful treatment of a neglected negative emotion. Krista Thomason, Swarthmore College
'Sara Protasi's The Philosophy of Envy is a very thorough work. Drawing from philosophy, psychology, literature, and our personal lives, Protasi illuminates a range of issues, including how to distinguish envy from jealousy, whether envy focuses on a person or what they possess, when it motivates us to 'level up' to the envied's status or to ensure that they 'level down' to us, the relationship between envy and love, and whether egalitarianism is motivated by envy … Analysing emotions can be messy work, given the number of interacting considerations and questions, but Protasi manages to give us a precise map of the terrain without compromising accessibility. The thoroughness with which she details this history and presents her own analysis is itself worthy of being envied (emulatively) by anyone writing on the emotions.' Adam Piovarchy, Australasian Journal of Philosophy
'Recommended.' S. A. Mason, Choice Magazine
'Protasi has produced a carefully researched, nuanced and highly original contribution to the study of envy and human moral psychology in general, an engaging read that brings philosophy into a fruitful dialogue with empirical psychology and offers a clear introduction to the topic, while containing many novel arguments for those well-versed in the debates.' Alba Montes Sánchez, Ethical Theory and Moral Practice
'Protasi shows that not every form of this emotion is morally problematic. She invites us to look at envy from a different perspective by suggesting that it can improve our well-being and moral lives by deepening our loving relationships, helping us acquire new goods and contributing to our flourishing. The book fills an important gap in the philosophical literature on emotions. Being particularly accessible, it is a worthwhile read for anyone with an interest in the philosophy and psychology of emotions.' Agnès Baehni, Journal of Value
ISBN: 9781009001717
Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 14mm
Weight: 387g
263 pages