“Denken ist danken.” I’ve repeated Heidegger’s axiom a number of times, but what makes this true? One angle: Our thoughts are distorted by fear, bitterness, hatred, anger, frustration, discontent, envy. But thankfulness is a solvent of all these; the thankful man cannot be frustrated with the portion he receives from the Lord, or envious of his neighbor who has received a larger portion. In this way, thanksgiving is a purification of the mind.
So, the foundation of knowledge is not: Cogito ergo sum. But: tibi semper et ubique gratias agere.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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