Generosity

Abstract

Although much has been written on Descartes's notion of 'generosity' (générosité) it remains difficult to interpret. In this paper an attempt is made to interpret it in the sense of human dignity - a generous person is someone who thinks and behaves in accordance with his particular status. However, whereas in traditional ideas on the excellence or dignity of man, this is founded in the fact that human beings are the only creatures endowed with reason, Descartes situates it in man's freedom. Although this transforms him into a privileged being and gives him certain rights (that of self-governance), certain duties are also imposed upon him, more particularly the duty to do whatever is best to protect our freedom. This also creates a more relaxed attitude with respect to the passions. Passions are neither good nor bad in themselves - they are good as long as we remain free and bad only in so far as they undermine our freedom. © 2012 Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin/Boston.