A Philosophical Happy Hour on gratitude and the repayment of gifts—that is, the satisfaction of debts for the gratuitously-given—through the insight of St. Thomas Aquinas.
The virtue of gratitude, St. Thomas Aquinas tells us, “always inclines, insofar as possible, to pay back something greater” than one has received. In a world of diminished personal bonds, this perhaps seems… difficult. Ours is a very transactional society. Every quid is given pro quo, it seems.
But we would do well to reflect, and contemplate, the nature of gratitude—especially this inclination of charitable excess in repayment. I would like therefore to read and converse about this single article of St. Thomas, found here in PDF and online here (PDF translation is my own).
It is easy today to take, to accept, and not to think of returning or repaying. What is the “recompense of thanks”? Who are the persons to whom we owe it? How is it made? These general questions should have a hold upon our mind this week.
Focal Questions
- What makes something to be truly given freely (gratuitously)?
- In what does gratitude consist?
- What does it mean to will to give more than received?
Please read the single article by St, Thomas and join our conversation this Wednesday (26 November 2025, from 5:45-7:15+ pm ET) as we reflect upon gratitude in this season of thanks.
philosophical happy hour
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Come join us for drinks (adult or otherwise) and a meaningful conversation. Open to the public! Held every Wednesday from 5:45–7:15pm ET.
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