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Exactly. There is the case where the person who has given offense sincerely offers an apology, having become aware of their wrong, with an affect of proportiona
by dsubburam 6y ago
Exactly. There is the case where the person who has given offense sincerely offers an apology, having become aware of their wrong, with an affect of proportionate contrition. The injured party might now deem to forgive them, and restore the offender's previous status in the relationship--e.g. as a friend, good neighbor, etc.
Redefining "forgiveness" from this bilateral way that we have come to traditionally understand it, into this unilateral context of letting go, not only makes language poorer (through dilution in its explanatory power), but also diminishes the bonds of society, which are preserved through various relationship mechanisms including apology and forgiveness (which serves as an improvement over having a physical altercation on the one hand, and an abandonment of relationship on the other).
- basch 6y ago>Redefining "forgiveness" from this bilateral way I would argue that the bilateral requirement is the redefinition. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forgiveness https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forgiveness "In most contexts, forgiveness is granted without any expectation of restorative justice, and without any response on the part of the offender (for example, one may forgive a person who is incommunicado or dead)." >The injured party might now deem to forgive them, and restore the offender's previous status in the relationship--e.g. as a friend, good neighbor, etc. That is more than forgiveness. It is reconciliation.
- johnchristopher 6y agoIt's not just about restoring the previous status (actually, you rarely can't). It's sometimes about strengthening that relationship. It changes it anyway, not necessarily in a bad way.