Abstract

“Self-respect” and “virtue” are not discrete actions or events. They are aspects of a person’s character. And appealing to them invites us to think about the bearing traits of character might have on what it means to forgive, what makes it possible, and when doing so is good. This chapter focuses on some character questions and, in particular, on what thinking about virtue might teach us about forgiving. Section 1 will address the question, “Is forgiving virtuous?” Sections 2 and 3 will ask, “If forgiving is virtuous, what virtue does it manifest?”