Textures of forgiveness

reflections from the thoughts of Hannah Arendt, Paul Ricoeur and Christian praxis

Abstract

In the Christian theology, act of forgiving is understood as constitutive element of Christian values, practices and duty. In the dynamics of Christian praxis, asking for and/or granting forgiveness attests to man’s inner change, necessary to walk the path of Redemption trough conversion. Forgiveness is also a philosophical and political theme, whose reflection was deepened from irruption of the crimes against humanity; a concept emerged with the genocide of Jews committed by the Nazis during the Second World War. Some thinkers, such as Hannah Arendt and Paul Ricoeur present two fundamental questions on the subject: firstly if there are limits to forgiveness, given that the Jewish genocide of the Second World War exceeded all the limits of justice and rationality proposed by philosophical tradition, second, if it is possible for men to forgive what they cannot forget? This last question links studies of forgiveness to memory, as well as the temporal dimension. This text aims to reflects on these questions, starting from the Augustinian reflection on memory, time, and experience of Christian conversion. Next, presents theoretical contributions of Hannah Arendt and Paul Ricoeur on theme, relating them to Christian praxis. It seeks, therefore, to critically understand how forgiveness is woven. Methodology adopted is grounded in critical comprehensive hermeneutics, enabling a deep and reflexive analysis of intersections among philosophy, politics, and theology.