Faculty Publications

Unpacking Definitions and Distortions to Highlight the Science and Benefits of Forgiveness: A Commentary on the Definitional Drift Within the Science of Forgiveness

Document Type

Article

Keywords

benefits of forgiveness, defining forgiveness, distortions of forgiveness, forgiveness, moral virtue

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology

Volume

45

Issue

1

First Page

25

Last Page

31

Abstract

This commentary will highlight and expand on some of the most critical points from the article by Song et al. (2025) as well as analyze recent popular press articles focused on forgiveness that include distortions of the definition of forgiveness. The importance of understanding forgiveness as a moral virtue is discussed, as is the potential impact that forgiveness can have on individuals’ lives. The responsibility that forgiveness scholars and authors of popular press articles have in communicating accurately what it means and looks like to forgive from both a psychological and philosophical perspective is emphasized.

Department

Department of Educational Psychology, Foundations, and Leadership Studies

Original Publication Date

1-1-2025

DOI of published version

10.1037/teo0000308

Link to Full Text

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