What kind of person forgives?

I’m doing some thinking about the foundations of our practice of forgiving others, what I’m calling forgiveness’ ‘material conditions’. The practice of forgiveness occurs within relations between persons. As such it is derivative upon (although not completely determined by) the material conditions that enable personal existence. These conditions…

Forgiveness: Heads of Discussion

Questions about how, when, why, and what to forgive have provided a staple of philosophical, theological, and practical moral inquiry ever since the Western cultural tradition developed out of the twin inheritances of Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman thought. In fact, at a later stage in my project I hope to demonstrate…

Forgiveness: Concepts and Stories

So I’m having another conversation about forgiveness. It’s a bit of an occupational hazard when word gets out you’re researching the topic for a PhD. The girl sitting across the table from me wants advice. I’ve never met her before but a friend put us in…

Forgiveness: Necessity

2. Necessity – the necessity vs non-necessity of forgiveness as a practice in moral relations (obligations to forgive) – is forgiveness morally obligatory for individuals/groups (under what circumstances)? – Is it different for individuals or groups – ways in which this obligation could be conceived.  Is forgiveness a morally obligatory concept for a…

29 years, 373 days...

Pains tend to run much more deeply into us than our pleasures. A true pain never really seems to leave you. It can always come back, fresh and revivified, even when the details fade from your memory. Suddenly, you’re right back there again. Even the greatest pleasures only ever…