Royal Society of Edinburgh: The problem with forgiveness

This hybrid Royal Society of Edinburgh event explores one of philosophy’s most challenging questions: what forgiveness really means. Professor Maria Alvarez considers whether forgiveness can be owed to another person, and how forgiveness relates to blame, responsibility, repentance and moral judgement.

The talk examines the apparent paradox at the heart of forgiveness: if someone has done wrong, it may be rational to blame them; but if they are not blameworthy, what exactly is there to forgive? It also asks whether sincere repentance and making amends give us reasons to forgive, and whether it can ever be right to forgive someone who has shown no remorse.

The event is presented in partnership with the Royal Institute of Philosophy and takes place in Edinburgh, with both in-person and online attendance options.