Myisha Cherry, "Failures of Forgiveness: What We Get Wrong and How to Do Better" (Princeton UP, 2023)
Mar 15, 2024
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Myisha Cherry, associate professor of philosophy, discusses the limitations of traditional ideas of forgiveness and offers a new holistic approach. Topics include personal experiences shaping forgiveness, historical philosophical perspectives, nuances of forgiveness, and intersections with societal issues like racial dynamics and reparations.
Traditional notions of forgiveness are limiting and harmful to society, requiring a new holistic approach.
Emotional insights gained from working with individuals in the criminal justice system emphasize the importance of empathy and compassion.
Personal experiences of self-doubt and triumph shaped Maisha Cherry's academic and professional journey.
Critiques of standard forgiveness definitions highlight complexities of racism, empathy, and justice in shaping forgiveness dynamics.
Deep dives
Creation of a New PR Service for Academic Books
The speaker highlights the lack of PR services catering specifically to academic books, leading to the collaboration with a PR firm on promoting academic books. This partnership resulted in the creation of a service focused on promoting academic books for authors, aiming to provide value for money and fill a gap in the market.
Motivation for Studying Emotions in Philosophy
The guest, Maisha Cherry, shares her motivation for studying emotions, emphasizing a deep fascination with the social relevance and use of emotions beyond psychological perspectives. She reflects on her journey from being a communication major to a philosophy major driven by a passion for asking unique questions and providing normative solutions through philosophical methodologies.
Insights from Working with Incarcerated Individuals
Maisha Cherry discusses her experiences working with the Fortune Society and reflects on the emotional insights gained from interacting with individuals involved in the criminal justice system. She highlights the impact of emotional regulation on decision-making and behavior, emphasizing the importance of empathy and compassion in navigating challenging situations.
Navigating Moments of Triumph and Self-Doubt
Maisha Cherry recounts personal experiences of self-doubt during her academic journey, including challenges faced when applying to PhD programs. She shares the triumph of publishing her first book based on podcast interviews, underscoring the motivation drawn from overcoming setbacks and the support received from mentors. These moments of triumph and self-doubt shaped her academic and professional path.
Redefining Forgiveness and Its Social Implications
The discussion delves into the multifaceted nature of forgiveness, challenging traditional definitions and exploring its social implications, especially in racial contexts. Maisha Cherry critiques standard accounts of forgiveness and highlights the complexities of racism, empathy, and justice in shaping forgiveness dynamics. The conversation emphasizes the need for a broader understanding of forgiveness beyond individual and interpersonal realms.
Lessons from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa
The discourse extends to the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission as a political project aimed at reconciliation and reparations. Maisha Cherry reflects on the lessons learned from South Africa's approaches to truth-telling, justice, and reparations in addressing historical injustices. The discussion underscores the importance of integrating multiple components, including economic justice, truth-telling, and reparations, to create a more equitable and just society.
Expanding the Scope of Forgiveness into Love
Maisha Cherry shares insights about her upcoming book on love, following her works on anger and forgiveness, forming a trilogy of emotional inquiries. The focus on self-love and wisdom drawn from prominent thinkers like Angela Davis and Audre Lorde reflects a deep dive into understanding and fostering love in personal and societal contexts. The forthcoming book on love signifies a continued exploration of emotional dynamics and their impact on relationships and societal well-being.
From religion to popular culture, institutions and people have shaped how we conceive forgiveness. Myisha Cherry, associate professor of philosophy, argues that these understandings have been limiting or even narrow. Those ideas, in turn, have been harmful to society. InFailures of Forgiveness: What We Get Wrong and How to Do Better(Princeton University Press 2023), Cherry offers a new conceptualization of forgiveness rooted in a holistic approach.
Dr. N'Kosi Oates is a curator and assistant professor. He earned his Ph.D. in Africana Studies from Brown University. Find him on Twitter at DrNKosiOates.
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