2 ms·

Good point, this may be the case.

• mjburgess 4y ago
  Yes, I think so. Half of my point may be that as, eg., jealous (defensive) has been conflated with envy (offensive); and as social-emotional language appears to have somewhat degraded (where is, today, 'guilt' ?)... likewise, we have conflated forgiveness with reconsiliation. Where perhaps, in a recent past, to be forgiven was more obviously "to be released from the burden of mattering, one way or another". A few might, then, genuinely want forgiveness because they feel guilt that you still hate them. But many moreso feel no guilt, what they want is to be reconsiled. To be judged positive and worthwhile. If this transition has occured, it would line up with the guilt->shame, envy-jealousy, etc. transitions. It would be a co-opting of noble language (genuinely wishing forgiveness) for ignoble selfish reasons (wishing reconsiliation). I find this thesis prima fascie plausible, in that I feel under-educated in the nobility of guilt, the dangers of envy, and the purpose of forgiveness. An education, i'd say, my great-grandparents certainly had.