宽恕 ,或饶恕 、原谅 ,是一种自愿行为,其中行为人(即受害者)放弃针对加害方的消极感情(复仇 等),甚至还能为对方祝好[ 1] [ 2] [ 3] 。相较之下,赦免 则是由特定的社会代表(如法官 )宣布不再追究加害方的责任,未必代表受害人的主观意见[ 2] 。但在法律上宽恕实际也有效力,如债权人可借此放弃对借债者的追究[ 4] [ 5] 。宽恕常被视为一种美德 ,宗教学 、心理学 和社会学 等学科会研究其作用及原理。
罗马皇帝 马尔库斯·奥列里乌斯 饶恕被征服者,现藏于罗马卡比托利欧博物馆
亲密关系 中与宽恕近似的情感
心理学上尚未对宽恕的定义达成一致,不过最起码它是一个延续的“过程”,同时心理学家已经提出了一系列描述此过程的模型[ 6] 。此外还有研究注重宽恕程度在人际间的差异,如神经质 和易怒的人即使在很长一段时间之后也很难原谅加害者,甚至会筹划报复行为[ 7] 。
而容易原谅别人的人通常活得更加开心、健康[ 8] 。有研究显示这类人的循环系统 及神经系统 都比不容易原谅他人者更加健康[ 9] [ 10] 。斯坦福大学 的弗雷德·拉斯金(Fred Luskin)博士发现可以通过学习使得人更加宽容,从而更加健康[ 11] [ 12] 。
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Maltby, J., Wood, A. M., Day, L., Kon, T. W. H., Colley, A., and Linley, P. A. (2008). Personality predictors of levels of forgiveness two and a half years after the transgression. (页面存档备份 ,存于互联网档案馆 ) Journal of Research in Personality, 42, 1088-1094.
Van Oyen, C. Witvilet, T.E. Ludwig and K. L. Vander Lann, "Granting Forgiveness or Harboring Grudges: Implications for Emotions, Physiology and Health," Psychological Science no. 12 (2001):117-23
S. Sarinopoulos, "Forgiveness and Physical Health: A Doctoral Dissertation Summary," World of Forgiveness no. 2 (2000): 16-18
Balancing the Scales of Justices with Forgiveness and Repentance , Randall J. Cecrle, 2007, ISBN 1-60266-041-7
The Power of Forgiveness , Marcus G. 2011, Sapients.Net
Radical Forgiveness: Making Room for the Miracle , Colin Tipping, 1997, ISBN 0-9704814-1-1
Forgiving and Not Forgiving: Why Sometimes It's Better Not to Forgive , Jeanne Safer, 2000, ISBN 0-380-79471-3
Forgiveness: a Philosophical Exploration (Cambridge University Press, 2007), by Charles Griswold. ISBN 978-0-521-70351-2 .
Hein, David. "Regrets Only: A Theology of Remorse." The Anglican 33, no. 4 (October 2004): 5-6.
Hein, David. Austin Farrer on Justification and Sanctification. The Anglican Digest . 2007, 49 (1): 51–54.
Konstan, David, Before Forgiveness: The Origins of a Moral Idea (Cambridge/New York: Cambridge University Press, 2010).
Kramer, J. and Alstad D., The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Power, 1993, ISBN 1-883319-00-5
Lampert, K.(2005); Traditions of Compassion: From Religious Duty to Social Activism. Palgrave-Macmillan; ISBN 1-4039-8527-8
Fred Luskin, Ph.D. Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness (Harper, 2002)
Murphy, J. and Hampton, J. Forgiveness and Mercy (Cambridge University Press, 1988).
Norlock, K. Forgiveness from a Feminist Perspective (Lexington Books, 2009).
Pettigrove, G. Forgiveness and Love (Oxford University Press, 2012).
Schmidt D. (2003); The Prayer of Revenge: Forgiveness in the Face of Injustice; ISBN 0-7814-3942-6
Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life , Susan Forward, 1990.
The Railway Man: A POW's Searing Account of War, Brutality, and Forgiveness , Eric Lomax,