The giving and receiving of forgiveness is one response to the pervasiveness of wrongdoing and guilt in the world. But what is forgiveness? Is it compatible with punishment, retribution, restitution, or none of these? Can forgiveness be requested or received at the collective level of an ethic group or a nation state, or must all practices of forgiveness be strictly interpersonal? This reading group will focus on the philosophy and politics of forgiveness through the works of Seneca, Martha Nussbaum, Jacques Derrida, Desmond Tutu, and others.

This reading group is open to graduate students in any discipline. For more information or to sign up click here.