道歉
Mar 30, 2008你能在未来不打算改变自己行为的情况下道歉吗?不惭愧吗?
When one hears the word “apology” in a philosophical context, one naturally thinks of Plato’s famous Socratic dialogue, ``The Apology”. And then it strikes one that Socrates doesn’t sound all that apologetic. Historically, ``apology” often meant “reasoned argument or writing in justification of something”. Nowadays it mostly means “a regretful acknowledgment of an offense or failure”. It’s in this latter sense we are interested in apologies, including apologies in the political sphere, whether sincere or self-serving statements pretending to be expressions of regret.
The topic of apologies is full of philosophical angles, although not too many philosophers have written about it. To start with, an apology is a purposeful speech act, so certain questions naturally arise:.
o What is the goal of such acts?
o道歉应该做什么?
o他们什么时候成功?
道歉的“适当条件”是什么?
o What the difference is between apologizing and repenting.
o Are they just rituals? Or do they have to be sincere to really be apologies?
o And is it really an apology, if the behavior of the apologist doesn’t change in relevant ways?
o Should you always accept an apology?
o Does doing so mean your forgive? Forget? Or both? Or can you accept an apology and still try to get even?
So-called ``collective apologies” raise more questions. Congress apologizes on behalf of the nation to our Japanese citizens for the internment camps during World War II. The Turks will or won’t apologize to the Armenians for what was or wasn’t an attempted genocide. Do such collective apologies make sense? Or is it just politics?
Neither Ken nor I have much a background in the philosophy of apologizing, but our guest, Nick Smith from the University of New Hampshire has written a book on the subject, one of the very few philosophers who have. So we’ll have a lot to learn, and a lot to talk about.
你能在未来不打算改变自己行为的情况下道歉吗?不惭愧吗?
Justice, truth, and identity; race, society, and law—these all come into dramatic play as South Africa makes the tumultuous transition to a post-apartheid democracy.
Justice is a virtue and so, many claim, is forgiveness. But they seem inconsistent. Is forgiveness really a virtue?
在美国建国的头一百年左右的时间里,野蛮地奴役非洲裔美国人。
至少原谅或忘记。把事情抛在脑后。对于那些不希望生活被坏事情主宰的人来说,这些都是不错的建议。
你能在未来不打算改变自己行为的情况下道歉吗?不惭愧吗?
Justice, truth, and identity; race, society, and law—these all come into dramatic play as South Africa makes the tumultuous transition to a post-apartheid democracy.
Justice is a virtue and so, many claim, is forgiveness. But they seem inconsistent. Is forgiveness really a virtue?
在美国建国的头一百年左右的时间里,野蛮地奴役非洲裔美国人。
至少原谅或忘记。把事情抛在脑后。对于那些不希望生活被坏事情主宰的人来说,这些都是不错的建议。
Comments(6)
Guest
Saturday, April 24, 2010 -- 5:00 PM
First, you guys are freaking rock stars. SecondFirst, you guys are freaking rock stars.
其次,你(还)没有提到,但哈里·希勒的《星期日中午秀》(KALW, sunday @ noon)有一个环节叫做“每周道歉”。他收集了本周所有的集体道歉,无需过多评论,观众就能看出这对政客和公众人物来说是多么大的一个营销/公关计划。这很滑稽,同时也很恶心,绝对支持你公开道歉的评论。点击这里查看详情!
Guest
Thursday, April 29, 2010 -- 5:00 PM
Great introductionary blog for the broadcast. WhGreat introductionary blog for the broadcast.
When I think of Apologies, philosophically, Plato doesn't come to mind; but this blog gave me a reason to consider next time. "Apology" often meant ?reasoned argument or writing in justification of something?, thanks for the history... It comes to mind the etymology of the word "apology", "apolo"'s "logic".
Guest
Friday, May 7, 2010 -- 5:00 PM
I strive to find the idea of weight behind apologi我努力寻找道歉背后的分量。人们总是在道歉,但我的问题是人们为什么要道歉。是为了消除误会吗?或者这只是人们为了避免后悔而做的事情?
What kind of society are we when it comes to apologies? How would you define the instantly gratified apology? In a world where everything else is at our fingertips, why not the apology?
Guest
Saturday, July 17, 2010 -- 5:00 PM
It really is hard to apologize when pride is at stIt really is hard to apologize when pride is at stake. But through sheer determination in order to preserve the relationship towards the person or people you have done harm it really is a good to make a first move towards friendly approach. After relaying your intentions to the said person you then await his/her response. You must have patience and open mindedness.
Guest
Tuesday, October 12, 2010 -- 5:00 PM
Public apologies work most of the time. Nice post.Public apologies work most of the time. Nice post.
Harold G. Neuman
Wednesday, October 13, 2010 -- 5:00 PM
I recall something said to me around 15 or 16 yearI recall something said to me around 15 or 16 years ago. An Army Special Operations friend told me that "his daddy" always said: never apologize---it's a sign of weakness. I rather doubt that Bob's father ever said that to him. It was more likely an Army aphorism, which is, was, and will be the caveat emptor of societies generally and western society, specifically.
Now then---does this approach make us stronger? I don't think so. Not long into his presidency, Barack Obama apologized for something and drew summary criticism for his weakness. Well, looks like we have painted ourselves into a corner---really? Apology is probably over. So what? Glad I won't be around to see it.