Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a complex psychological and moral concept. In a psychological sense, it is an intentional and voluntary process. This process occurs when a person who has been wronged, harmed, or hurt changes their feelings. They aim to change their attitude toward the offender. This includes overcoming the impact of the offense. It specifically targets negative emotions like resentment or a desire for vengeance.

Some theorists believe forgiveness means replacing negative emotions with positive ones. This might include an increased ability to tolerate the offender. Others argue that forgiveness requires reconciliation with the person who caused the harm.

It is important to distinguish forgiveness from several similar concepts. Forgiveness is not the same as simple condoning. Condoning means viewing an action as harmful but overlooking it for reasons of charity. It is also not the same as excusing or pardoning. Excusing or pardoning merely releases the offender from responsibility for their actions. Furthermore, forgiveness is not the same as forgetting. Forgetting is an attempt to remove the memory of an offense entirely.

Forgiveness focuses on dealing with resentment rather than denying or suppressing anger. A person can forgive while still pursuing justice, punishment, or compensation.

Researchers have developed models to explain how the process of forgiveness works. Dr. Robert Enright from the University of Wisconsin–Madison founded the International Forgiveness Institute. He initiated formal studies and developed a 20-Step Process Model of Forgiveness. In this model, the victim first examines the wrong they suffered. They look at who caused it and the context of the event. Next, they consider their anger, shame, guilt, and how the event affected them. The person then decides if they want to move toward an attitude of forgiveness. If they choose to proceed, they work on understanding, compassion, and acceptance. They may then make a gesture of reconciliation to the offender. Finally, they reformulate their memory of the experience to integrate it healthily into their life story.

Studies have shown that forgiveness has significant impacts on physical and mental health. Research indicates that people who forgive are often happier and healthier than those who hold resentment. One study found that thinking about forgiving an offender improves cardiovascular and nervous system functioning. Another study suggested that more forgiving people suffer from fewer illnesses. Conversely, less forgiving people reported a higher number of health problems. Dr. Fred Luskin of Stanford University has presented evidence that forgiveness is a teachable skill. In studies involving Catholics and Protestants from Northern Ireland, he found that learning forgiveness reduced stress. These participants felt less angry and more optimistic. They also showed increased vitality and self-confidence.

Forgiveness is a process that often requires significant time. Psychologist Wanda Malcolm notes that several factors can delay this process. A person may need to prioritize self-care or personal healing, such as therapy. Issues of physical safety may also need to be addressed first. Facilitating forgiveness immediately after an offense may be premature. Malcolm suggests that rushing this process might reinforce a person's belief that their pain is too much to bear. Researchers Worthington et al. observed that efforts to promote forgiveness have little impact without time. Participants must spend substantial time thinking through and emotionally experiencing their forgiveness.

Religious traditions provide many foundations for modern practices of forgiveness. In Abrahamic Judaism, there is a strong emphasis on interpersonal rectification. If a person causes harm, they are encouraged to apologize and try to fix the wrong. In Judaism, a person cannot obtain forgiveness from God for wrongs done to other people until they seek it from the victim. For example, unless a victim forgives a perpetrator before they die, murder is considered unforgivable in Judaism. Jews observe Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, to seek God's forgiveness for transgressions against God.

Christianity also views forgiveness as central to its ethics. Many Christians look to the Parable of the Prodigal Son to understand how God forgives those who repent. In the Catholic Church, forgiveness is considered a spiritual work of mercy. The Church believes in God's grace and the necessity of repentance to receive it.

Philosophical thought has also explored the nature of this concept. The philosopher Joseph Butler defined forgiveness as the overcoming of resentment and moral hatred. He also described it as a speech act and as forbearance. In 1962, the philosopher P. F. Strawson described forgiveness as a subject that was somewhat unfashionable in moral philosophy at that time. Today, the subject remains a major area of study across many fields. It connects psychology, medicine, sociology, and religion. By understanding forgiveness, thinkers can better understand how social connections are restored after conflict.