THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONCEPT OF FORGIVENESS BY NORWEGIAN PHILOSOPHER ARNE JOHAN VETLESEN. Is forgiveness morally wrong Cover Image

RAZUMIJEVANJE OPROSTA U DJELU NORVEŠKOG FILOZOFA ARNEA JOHANA VETLESENA. Je li oprost moralno pogrešan
THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONCEPT OF FORGIVENESS BY NORWEGIAN PHILOSOPHER ARNE JOHAN VETLESEN. Is forgiveness morally wrong

Author(s): Rasim Muratović, Midhat Čaušević
Subject(s): Ethics / Practical Philosophy
Published by: JU Zavod za zaštitu i korištenje kulturno-historijskog i prirodnog naslijeđa
Keywords: forgiveness moral crime guilt remorse justice apology reconciliation;

Summary/Abstract: “Is forgiveness morally wrong?”According to Professor Vetlesen, reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot come unless perpetrators recognize what they committed and do not show public remorse for what they did. Even then, if it happens,nobody has the right to force a victim to accept apology. Forgiveness and oblivion are not victim’s obligations, Vetlesen is categorical. “I am aware how many denials occur and exactly to silence a victim to talk about what happened can often only aggravate things, disturb the possible reconciliation process. It is understandable that a large number of victims are ready to forget what was happening to them for the future. People are often aware that recalling these suffering can cause new conflicts, unrest in society. To tell victims to be silent is equally dubious, psychologically unbearable to leave it as a liability only to the victim, and not only to the perpetrator, and it cannot help victims,” claims Vetlesen.According to Vetlesen, the victim cannot be forced to forgive, s/he must be ready to voluntarily forgive, and the perpetrator must accept it only as a gift that is not deserved. Vetlesen is categorical in the assessment that there is no one who would have the right to force the victim to forgiveness, either religious or political leaders. “No one has the right to give any instruction in this regard. This is the exclusive right of the victim. The forgiveness is not the obligation of the victim nor is the right of the perpetrator. That is,therefore, a personal attitude. Whatever the victim decides, no one has the right to condemn or praise for what s/he has done

  • Issue Year: 8/2019
  • Issue No: 8
  • Page Range: 105-129
  • Page Count: 25
  • Language: Bosnian