Forgiveness

Forgiveness explores what it is we are doing when we forgive, and why that might be a good thing in itself. It shows that learning to forgive should not be seen as simply a goal of self-development, like overcoming shyness, dealing with loss, or getting past rejection, but is more difficult, more complex, and more troubling than it is often portrayed. Proper forgiveness is a moral achievement it is a virtue. Drawing on the work of psychologists, theologians, and moral philosophers, Eve Garrard and David McNaughton explore the nature of resentment, retribution, deterrence, punishment, love, and hatred. Defending unconditional forgiveness, they offer an entirely secular treatment that goes to the heart of our capacity to be moral beings.

Eve Garrard is Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Manchester. She has written widely on moral theory, applied ethics and on issues to do with forgiveness and evil. David McNaughton is Professor of Philosophy at Florida State University. He was founder and first president of the British Society for Ethical Theory. He writes on all aspects of moral theory and is the author of Moral Vision.