Notre Dame sociologists explore the paradox of generosity | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › Notre Dame sociologists explore the paradox of generosity Notre Dame sociologists explore the paradox of generosity Published: October 07, 2014 Author: Michael O. Garvey For most religious believers, it is an article of faith that it is more blessed to give than to receive. For at least two University of Notre Dame sociologists, it is an article of fact as well. In their recently published book, “The Paradox of Generosity: Giving We Receive, Grasping We Lose,” Christian Smith, Notre Dame’s William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Sociology, and sociology doctoral candidate Hilary Davidson provide empirical evidence in support of the biblical admonition. According to their analysis of measurable data, people who are generous with their money, time and associations are happier, healthier and more resilient than their less generous counterparts. The book, published last month by Oxford University Press, makes use of information gathered in Notre Dame’s five-year Science of Generosity Initiative, Smith’s unprecedented multidisciplinary nationwide survey that found that only 2.7 percent of Americans give a 10th or more of their income to charity, at least 86.2 percent give away less than 2 percent of their income and nearly half give nothing. Smith and Davidson argue that this reluctance to give not only deprives those in need, but also diminishes the happiness of those who could, but don’t, help them. “By grasping onto what we currently have,” Smith writes, “we lose out on better goods that we might have gained. In holding onto what we possess, we diminish its long-term value to us. By always protecting ourselves against future uncertainties and misfortunes, we are affected in ways that make us more anxious about uncertainties and vulnerable to future misfortunes. In short, by failing to care for others, we do not properly take care of ourselves. It is no coincidence that the word ‘miser’ is etymologically related to the word ‘miserable.’” Contact: Christian Smith, 574-631-4531, Chris.Smith@nd.edu; Hilary Davidson, hdavidso@nd.edu Posted In: Faith Research Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related June 01, 2022 University of Notre Dame to establish consortium of Catholic universities to study Muslim-Christian relations January 31, 2022 New book explores the role of Catholic peacebuilders in addressing global mining issues December 09, 2021 Vatican’s focus on moral and ethical impact of new technologies “a challenge to do better,” scientists say April 09, 2021 Notre Dame helps Catholic Church with underutilized real estate March 29, 2021 The truth about Christ lies in contradiction, philosopher finds For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn