Determinism and the Nature of Forgiveness

            “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other.”[i]

In this paper, I will explore three ideas.  The first of these is the nature of forgiveness.  What does one mean when she says “I forgive you?”  What is it for forgiveness to be a moral sentiment?  The second topic I will examine is the importance of forgiveness to interpersonal relationships.  What role does forgiveness play between two people?  It is an important role, or can it be done without?  Finally, I will analyze forgiveness in light of determinism.  Is forgiveness imperiled if one accepts a deterministic viewpoint?  If so, are there any analogues which could function in its place, or is forgiveness a price we must pay for determinism?   

I ~ The Nature of Forgiveness

            Forgive (v):  1) To grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, wrong, sin, etc.); to absolve.  2) To cease to feel resentment against.  3) To pardon an offense or an offender.[ii]

            Forgiveness (n): Act of freeing from guilt or blame.[iii]

“The attitude of forgiveness seems to presuppose that the person being forgiven deserves blame,” according to Derk Pereboom.[iv]  However, he also asserts that if a friend has wronged you several times in a similar fashion and then apologizes, your friend is acknowledging the wrongness of his behavior. 

Forgiveness serves two main functions for an individual.  The first of these is an acknowledgement that one has been offended or wronged.  Susie, for example, cannot forgive Jim for anything if she does not feel offended or wronged by Jim’s behavior.  Second, forgiveness absolves feelings of guilt.  Presuming Jim acknowledges his offensive behavior, we can reasonably assume that he will feel guilty for it.  If Susie forgives him, however, those feelings of guilt are absolved.

Additionally, forgiveness can serve to signify one’s willingness to stop acknowledging past offenses as they relate to another person.  If Susie forgives Jim’s offensive remarks, she also stops recognizing the pain that those offensive remarks cause.

II ~ The Importance of Forgiveness in Interpersonal Relationships

            Forgiveness plays an important role in interpersonal relationships.  Take the following example:  Tim, a new acquaintance, has offended you.  He does so a series of times.  Tension begins to mount between the two of you.  Once that level reaches a certain breaking point, your relationship with Tim becomes increasingly difficult to maintain.  If you do not forgive him, it is reasonable to assume that the relationship will quickly dissolve.

Forgiveness needn’t be outwardly expressed.  One can forgive another without verbally acknowledging such to the other person.  Instead, forgiveness can be an inner acknowledgement to overlook past wrongs or offenses.  This variation on forgiveness does not absolve another person’s feelings of guilt, although it does improve or help maintain a given relationship.

III ~ Forgiveness and Determinism

            If determinism is true, then Derk Pereboom’s interpretation of forgiveness is indeed imperiled.  He asserts that forgiveness implies blameworthiness.  David Wideker poses the following argument about blameworthiness[v]:

(1)   A person is only blameworthy if they have committed a wrong act.

(2)   According to determinism, no act is right, wrong, or obligatory.

(3)   Therefore, no one can be blameworthy.

According to Wideker’s argument, the version of forgiveness that implies blameworthiness cannot be upheld if determinism is true.  No acts are wrong in a determined world, and a person is blameworthy only if he commits a wrong act.  Therefore, Pereboom’s interpretation of forgiveness is undermined by the lack of deontic morality that determinism represents. 

However, there are alternative interpretations of forgiveness that are not imperiled by determinism.  If forgiveness is simply an absolution of guilt[vi], determinism does not undermine one’s ability to forgive.  But what if, for example, Jim does not know (or perhaps does not care) that he has offended Susie?  If he does not feel guilty, can he be forgiven? 

Certainly he may.  As explained above, forgiveness needn’t be outwardly expressed.  Susie may make the choice to forgive Jim of his offense(s) regardless of his lack of guilty feelings. 

Thus forgiveness is not sacrificed at the hands of determinism.  While one cannot forgive another for a wrong act, it is possible to absolve feelings of guilt and cease acknowledging past offenses by forgiving the guilty or offensive person.  “For to err is human; to forgive, divine.”[vii]