Study On The Arendt's Theory Offorgiveness

This paper studies the theory of forgiveness in Arendt's political thought.Forgiveness theory is of great significance as Arendt's summary of the political havoc of the twentieth century,mainly embodied in both theory and reality.First of all,the thesis defines Arendt's political thought.On the basis of rethinking and criticizing the Western political and philosophical traditions,Arendt elaborated on a new political philosophy that hopes that politics itself can be squarely addressed.This idea fully considers the pluralism and natality,and raises objections to the "contemplative life" advocated by the Western political philosophy tradition,and advocates a kind of "active life." Next,the article analyzes Arendt's theory of forgiveness.Unlike pardon and excuse,forgiveness is a political ability that frees people from the irreversible consequences of action.The political significance of Arendt's theory of forgiveness is not easily understood because in the political realm,forgiveness always seems unrealistic and is introduced from a certain theological category.However,Arendt also pointed out that Jesus taught people that if they want God's forgiveness,they must first practice forgiveness themselves.In other words,forgiveness is also first and foremost a concept of politics-the relationship between people in the mind of Jesus.Re-emphasizing Arendt's theory of forgiveness is part of his political philosophical thinking.Action is the core of “active life” and is the most outstanding political activity.The best performance of freedom is in action.Action is important,but its own irreversible dilemma cannot be avoided.Only forgiveness can save it.Thus,Arendt always believed that politics has a power of redemption,a manifestation of freedom,which obviously comes from forgiveness.This belief comes from Arendt's confidence in the power that forgiveness can be brought about as an intrinsic part of action.These make forgiveness theory a pivotal part of Arendt's political thinking.On the practical level,forgiveness is first implemented as a life wisdom.Forgiveness makes people transcend morality,is less sensitive to the sense of good and evil,frees them from resentment,and no longer consumes themselves with unrepeatable emotions.At this time,the sensitivity of morality gives way to the wisdom of life.Forgiveness thus allows people to start a new life,corresponding to the circumstances of the birth of a person.On the other hand,forgiveness is implemented as a political experience.It is a basic experience in terms of forgivers or forgiven and the political environment that influences the development of their relationship.The experience of South Africa tells people that forgiveness has the power to restore relationships between people,thereby freeing a political group from the consequences of past actions and facing the future.Here,as anintrinsic part of action,forgiveness is “a type of relationship that is an expression of the state of human diversity.” In other words,forgiveness corresponds to the fact of human pluralism.