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.

Winner, 2024 Joseph B. Gittler Prize, American Philosophical Association

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 Source: Australasian Journal of Philosophy

‘Recommended.’

S. A. Mason Source: 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 Source: Journal of Value

‘One of the things that shines through in this book is Protasi’s humanity. Here is no moralistic finger wagging but instead a compassionate look at the complexity of human striving, human excellence, and the ubiquitous desire for admiration and respect. This is seen no more clearly than in her tightly argued chapter on love and envy. Envy is not invariably the enemy of love, Saint Paul notwithstanding, she argues. Envy is possible, indeed may be unavoidable, in loving relationships. Not chronic envy, of course, but envy that comes and goes as a life shared changes and evolves.’

Heidi Lene Maibom Source: The Philosophical Review

‘This is an excellent book - philosophy at its best, and a pleasure to read. Protasi is familiar with the vast literature on envy, from ancient times to present day, persuasively presenting the strengths and flaws attributed to such an emotion. The conceptual philosophical discussion is grounded in ample psychological evidence. The arguments are clear, with precise presentations of the claims at the beginning and a cogent summary following every section and chapter. The discussion is witty and full of enlightening everyday examples. The book is rich with original and thoughtful ideas.’

Aaron Ben-Ze’ev Source: Ethics

‘… the book is a stimulating contribution to the literature that challenges and engages throughout. A distinctive strength of the book is how Protasi incorporates both extended narratives and empirical research into her arguments. The use of narrative throughout as support provides a level of detail and psychological nuance that vividly illustrates her arguments. Additionally, Protasi’s conceptual and normative claims are frequently supported with extensive empirical evidence. … With the exploration of envy’s role in a wide range of spheres, the book has important implications for political philosophy as well as moral psychology, and has much to offer philosophers thinking about envy and other related moral phenomena in both historical and contemporary contexts.’

Carissa Phillips-Garrett Source: Journal of Moral Philosophy