Abstract
Forgiveness and mercy are often thought of as acts that we perform or gifts that we bestow. In this essay the author focuses on character and explores the implications for punishment if one focuses on having a character that is merciful and forgiving in disposition. He argues that the tension that is often thought to exist between justice, on the one hand, and forgiveness and mercy, on the other, is lessened by focusing on the virtue of having a forgiving and merciful character.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 5-17 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Journal of Law and Religion |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 1 2020 |
Keywords
- Kant
- forgiveness
- humility
- love
- mercy
- punishment
- reform
- rehabilitation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Religious studies
- Law