The Apology Paradox

Datos Bibliográficos

ID3125815
AutoresJanna Thompson (0000-0002-8174-249X, La Trobe University, autor de correspondencia)
Año2000
Volumen50
Número201
Páginas470-475
Fecha de publicación2000-10-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaThe Philosophical Quarterly (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0031-8094 • E-ISSN: 1467-9213
EditorialOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1111/1467-9213.00200
OpenAlexW2072692488
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas9
Referencias citadas1

Some leaders and citizens think it appropriate to apologize for historical injustices like slavery or the dispossession of indigenous people. But can we sincerely say ‘Sorry’ for the deeds of our forebears? By making an apology we are expressing regrets for what they did: we are saying that we prefer that these deeds had not been done. However, if these deeds had not been done, history would have been different, and probably we would not exist. Since most of us are glad to be alive, it seems that our apologies must be insincere. I discuss a number of proposed solutions to this paradox

Indigenous · Political science · Sociology · Forgiveness and Related Behaviors · History · Law · Military, Security, and Education Studies · Philosophy