.

The Radical Meaning of Forgiveness

By Robert Enright

Anyone may forgive, and anyone may be forgiven—even the worst among us.




Notes
1. Genesis 1:26-27.
2. Leviticus 19:18.
3. Yves R. Simon, The Definition of Moral Virtues, ed. Vukan Kuic (New York: Fordham University, 1986).
4. Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics; Simon, Definition of Moral Virtues.
5. Genesis 42:21.
6. Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics; Simon, Definition of Moral Virtues.
7. Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics; Simon, Definition of Moral Virtues.
8. Morton E. Kaufman, “The Courage to Forgive,” Israeli Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences 21:3 (1984), pp. 177-187.
9. See, for example, Robert D. Enright and Richard Fitzgibbons, Helping Clients Forgive: An Empirical Guide for Resolving Anger and Restoring Hope (Washington, D.C.: APA, 2000); Gayle G. Reed and Robert D. Enright, “The Effects of Forgiveness Therapy on Depression, Anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress for Women After Spousal Emotional Abuse,” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 74:5 (October 2006), pp. 920-929; Wei-Fen Lin et al., “Effects of Forgiveness Therapy on Anger, Mood, and Vulnerability to Substance Use Among Inpatient Substance-Dependent Clients,” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 72:6 (December 2004), pp. 1114-1121.
10. Allen E. Bergin, “Three Contributions of a Spiritual Perspective to Counseling, Psychotherapy, and Behavioral Change,” Counseling and Values 33:1 (October 1988), pp. 21-31.
11. Robert D. Enright, Elizabeth A. Gassin, and Jeanette A. Knutson, “Waging Peace Through Forgiveness in Belfast, Northern Ireland: A Review and Proposal for Mental Health Improvement of Children,” Journal of Research in Education 13:1 (Fall 2003), pp. 51-61; Robert D. Enright, Jeanette A. Knutson, Anthony C. Holter, Thomas Baskin, and Casey Knutson, “Waging Peace Through Forgiveness in Belfast, Northern Ireland II: Educational Programs for Mental Health Improvement of Children,” Journal of Research in Education 17 (Fall 2007), pp. 63-78; Robert D. Enright et al., “Waging Peace Through Forgiveness in Belfast, Northern Ireland III: Correcting a Production Error and a Case Study,” Journal of Research in Education 18 (Fall 2008), pp. 128-131.


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