Forgiving Philosophy

by: Daniel R Esparza (Author)

Publisher: de Gruyter

Publication Date: 2024/8/19

Language: English

Print Length: 187 pages

ISBN-10: 3111555755

ISBN-13: 9783111555751

Book Description

This book explores forgiveness as a philosophical matter. Responding to the curious omission of forgiveness in much of Weste philosophy, it examines common themes and divergences on forgiveness in the works of Augustine, Kierkegaard, and Arendt. These writers understood forgiveness as a paradox–it must be contained to be given (Augustine), granted-yet-not-granted (Kierkegaard), and forgotten the moment it is given, as if never given at all (Arendt). Drawing on these insights, can forgiveness be then thought of as a hidden existential capacity and not as a magnanimous display of mercy? Can we imagine forgiveness as undoing the transgression we see, and secretly engaging with the imperceptible impossibility of undoing what has indeed been done?

About the Author

This book explores forgiveness as a philosophical matter. Responding to the curious omission of forgiveness in much of Weste philosophy, it examines common themes and divergences on forgiveness in the works of Augustine, Kierkegaard, and Arendt. These writers understood forgiveness as a paradox–it must be contained to be given (Augustine), granted-yet-not-granted (Kierkegaard), and forgotten the moment it is given, as if never given at all (Arendt). Drawing on these insights, can forgiveness be then thought of as a hidden existential capacity and not as a magnanimous display of mercy? Can we imagine forgiveness as undoing the transgression we see, and secretly engaging with the imperceptible impossibility of undoing what has indeed been done?