Abstract
I discuss Charles Griswold’s Forgiveness, arguing that he classifies as marginal many cases that we normally count as forgiveness. Moreover the phenomenon that he calls “forgiveness at its best” may include some awful aspects of human nature. Nevertheless, there are central and important aspects of the concept that are captured by his discussion.
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Notes
This paper is a reflection on the discussion at the APA session on Griswold’s book as much as on the book itself. Michelle Moody-Adams and Howard Wettstein made searching points which I found extremely thought-provoking, and then Charles Griswold responded in ways that I had not anticipated. I have tried to react to all this back and forth while presenting a more linear exposition.
References
Allais, L. (2008). Wiping the slate clean: the heart of forgiveness. Philosophy & Public Affairs, 36, 33–68.
Nisbett, R., & Ross, L. (1991). The person and the situation. New York: McGraw-Hill.
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Morton, A. Central and Marginal Forgiveness: Comments on Charles Griswold’s Forgiveness; a Philosophical Exploration . Philosophia 38, 439–444 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11406-010-9240-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11406-010-9240-2