The interstices of hospitality

Abstract

This paper is a review of previous works, and it shows the notion of hospitality situated at the confluence of the concepts of interpersonal relationships, virtue, rites and commercial/non-commercial exchange. In doing so it discusses the most significant authors who have studied this topic. It distinguishes between the philosophical approach, which studies the ethical and aesthetic aspects of hospitality, and the approach of the social sciences, which study the dynamics of hospitality within the context of relationships in society. Finally, it discusses the hospitality of Brazilians.

Keywords: Hospitableness, interpersonal relationships, virtue, rite, exchange