Abstract
In an individualistic society and in the increasingly competitive business environment people do not seem inclined ‘to forgive others their trespasses’. One is more likely to choose to ignore the virtue of forgiveness as a way of handling personnel situations involving intense conflict or mild disagreements, favoring instead the negative feelings of resentment, anger, revenge or retaliation. Business people seem less concerned with growth in virtue and character; interestingly they allow their character and ultimately their work relationships to deteriorate because they hold onto feelings of anger and resentment. Is there a place for forgiveness in our interpersonal relationships in general and in corporate life in particular? I believe there is. A study of the virtue of forgiveness shows that it is a misunderstood virtue, but one that deserves attention. In this article I will examine the virtue of forgiveness, defining what forgiveness is and is not, and will illustrate how it might be situated as an essential human resource management strategy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arendt, Hannah: 1959, The Human Condition (University of Chicago Press, Chicago).
Downie, R. S.: 1965, ‘Forgiveness’, Philosophical Quarterly 15, 128–134. (Downie's article is a classic in philosophical literature on forgiveness. Interesting for the philosophical discussion of the topic.)
Donnelly, Doris: 1979, Learning to Forgive (Abingdon Press, Nashville).
Fisher, R. and W. Ury: 1983, Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In (Penguin, New York).
Haber, J. G.: 1991, Forgiveness (Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Savage MD).
Holmgren, M. R.: 1993, ‘Forgiveness and the Intrinsic Value of Persons’ American Philosophical Quarterly 30, 341–352. (Holmgren discusses the intrinsic value of the individual and why unconditional forgiveness is the only type compatible with self-respect, respect for morality, and respect for the wrongdoer as a moral agent. Forgiveness is a virtue according to her argumentation.
Horsbrugh, H. J. N.: 1974 Dec, ‘Forgiveness’, Canadian Journal of Philosophy 4, 269–282.
Lauritzen, P.: 1992, Religious Belief and Emotional Transformation (Associated University Presses, New Jersey). (Lauritzen discusses the emotions of anger and resentment and how discusses the emotions of anger and resentment and how forgiveness may be used to eliminate these emotions).
Murphy, J. G. and J. Hampton: 1988, Forgiveness and Mercy (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge).
North, Joanna: 1987 Oct, ‘Wrongdoing and Forgiveness’, Philosophy 62, 499–508.
Posner, B. Z. and W. H. Schmidt: 1981, Managerial Values: the Silent Power (American Management Association).
Posner, B. Z. and W. H. Schmidt: 1992 Spring,’ Values and the American Manager: An Updated Update’, California Management Review 34(3), 37–40.
Schermerhorn, J.: 1994, Management for Productivity ( J. Wiley and Sons, New York).
Trianosky, Gregory: 1990 Oct, ‘What is Virtue Ethics All About?’, American Philosophical Quarterly 27(4), 335–344.
Weeks, D.: 1992, The Eight Essential Steps to Conflict Resolution ( Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc., Los Angeles). (Weeks discusses conflict as an inescapable part of life and offers a step by step process for resolving them. He briefly mentions the role of forgiveness as a strategy in conflict resolution).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kurzynski, M.J. The Virtue of Forgiveness as a Human Resource Management Strategy. Journal of Business Ethics 17, 77–85 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005762514254
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005762514254