When I do a Google search for the psychology of forgiveness, often I see the definition of forgiving as the giving up of anger. What is your opinion of this definition?
I think it Is too narrow. A person can give up anger because the other who offended is seen as incorrigible and incapable of change. Such a harsh judgement might lower anger, but it is not in the spirit of forgiving because the other is being judged quite negatively. Also, as people forgive, they do not just reduce a negative emotion (such as anger) but also increase, toward the one who acted unjustly, in more positive thoughts, feelings, and even behaviors if the other is not a continuing danger.
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