Good article. I’m going to try to contribute something because I see this as a matter of conscience primarily based in a moral breach. What underlies the anger felt by the victim, anger which demands attention? Lots of things happen to us which we just blow off. When there is a significant level of mortification felt, do to having been dishonored in some personal way; it sets up anger which instigates vengeful feelings. It is this degradation which must be repaired via the process of forgiveness.
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The author uses a lot of ink to explain what does or does not qualify as forgiveness in the interpersonal sense. The core of the issue is hit at the end of the 7th paragraph, and the importance of forgiveness is explained in the 13th paragraph.
“So forgiveness assumes as its target, so to speak, an agent who knowingly does wrong and is held responsible. The moral anger one feels in this case is a reaction that is answerable to reason; and this would hold too with respect to giving up one’s anger. In the best case, the offender would offer you reasons for forswearing resentment, most obviously by taking a series of steps that include admission of responsibility, contrition, a resolve to mend his or her ways and recognition of what the wrong-doing felt like from your perspective.”
"Why forgive? What makes it the commendable thing to do at the appropriate time? It’s not simply a matter of lifting the burden of toxic resentment or of immobilizing guilt, however beneficial that may be ethically and psychologically. It is not a merely therapeutic matter, as though this were just about you. Rather, when the requisite conditions are met, forgiveness is what a good person would seek because it expresses fundamental moral ideals. These include ideals of spiritual growth and renewal; truth-telling; mutual respectful address; responsibility and respect; reconciliation and peace."
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