Phenomenology of Forgiveness: Moral and Metaphysical Dimension of Forgiveness

Abstract

The present paper is an attempt to give a phenomenological description of forgiveness. The author underlines an exceptional role that forgiveness plays in our, immersed in harm, guilt, evil and sin, culture. Without forgiveness such a world is in danger of destruction. Forgiveness is an action undertaken by a man in a specific situation. It is a situation of both harm and sense of guilt but also of resignation from a vengeance, from paying the perpetrator what he rightly deserves. The present paper analyses two dimensions of forgiveness. First is its moral dimension in which acts of forgiveness are caused by contriteness and atonement. Second is its metaphysical dimension in which unconditional forgiveness becomes possible. In both of these dimensions a transformation of man and being is accomplished.