In this essay I offer a detailed reply to three critics (whose commentaries are included in this issue of Philosophia ) of my Forgiveness: a Philosophical Exploration (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007). The topics explored include the nature and limits of forgiveness; its unconditional or conditional character; the problem of distinguishing between central and marginal cases; the analysis of political apology; and questions of philosophical methodology.
"In this book, twelve eminent scholars of classical antiquity and ancient and medieval Judaism and Christianity explore the nature and place of forgiveness in the pre-modern Western world.
Nearly everyone has wronged another. Who among us has not longed to be forgiven? Nearly everyone has suffered the bitter injustice of wrongdoing. Who has not struggled to forgive? Charles Griswold has written the first comprehensive philosophical book on forgiveness in both its interpersonal and political contexts, as well as its relation to reconciliation. Having examined the place of forgiveness in ancient philosophy and in modern thought, he discusses what forgiveness is, what conditions the parties to it must meet, its (...) relation to revenge and hatred, when it is permissible and whether it is obligatory, and why it is a virtue. (shrink)
Abstract Despite the near universal desire for happiness, relatively little philosophy has been done to determine what ?happiness? means. In this paper I examine happiness (in the long?term sense), and argue that it is best understood in terms of tranquillity. This is not merely ?contentment.? Rather, happiness requires reflection?the kind of reflection characteristic of philosophy. Happiness is the product of correctly assessing its conditions, and like any assessment, one can be mistaken, and thus mistaken about (...) whether one is happy. That is, one needs a correct understanding of happiness in order to be happy. (shrink)
Originally published by Routledge in 1988, this pioneering collection of essays now features a new preface and updated bibliography by the editor, reflecting ...
