Forgiveness education from an Hegelian perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACT Although school is an ideal location for teaching forgiveness because it mediates between the family and society, forgiveness education has been relatively neglected in schools. Most research and pedagogical models on forgiveness education to date are based on the psychological perspective which is individualistic in nature. Although empirical support for effectiveness of these models has been found, the individualistic foundation of these models ignores the collective aspect of forgiveness and forgiveness education. Hegel’s philosophy provides insights that can complement the individualistic perspective. Hegelian philosophy suggests that forgiveness enables mutual recognition to occur and the collective human consciousness to progress to higher stages of development in a dialectical manner. This paper proposes the major elements for forgiveness education from an Hegelian perspective that complement existing theories, research and practice forgiveness education: the importance of narrowing the reality-virtue gap, the renunciation of self, mutual recognition, reconciliation, awareness of one's duty to others, and finally the use of language.