Forgetting is often seen as an immoral act when it comes to the pursuit of justice, truth, accountability, and healing.
There are instances where it may be considered a moral action that can aid in achieving these goals.
In the process of reconciling after a traumatic event, such as war or abuse, some people find that they need to let go of resentment and anger in order to move forward. This requires them to forget certain details about what happened so they don't become consumed by bitterness and hatred. In this case, forgetting can be a way to achieve peace and reconciliation.
Another instance where forgetting can be morally justified is during mediation between conflicted parties. When both sides are unable to come to a resolution without compromise, sometimes one party needs to let go of their demands for justice or retribution in order to reach an agreement. In these situations, forgetting can help facilitate forgiveness and healing. It allows each side to move forward with less animosity and hostility towards the other.
Forgetting has its limits. In situations of severe wrongdoing, such as genocide or mass murder, forgetting cannot be used as a tool for reconciliation. There must always be accountability and acknowledgement of the harm done. Otherwise, those who were harmed will never truly feel safe or secure again.
Forgetting should not be used as a means of avoidance or denial. If we forget the painful aspects of our past, we risk repeating them in the future. Instead, remembering is essential for learning from mistakes and preventing similar events from occurring again.
Forgetting can be moral when it is used to achieve peace and reconciliation in specific circumstances.
It should only be used when all other options have been exhausted and there is no other way to find closure. It should also be used cautiously and consciously, without relying on it as a crutch or shield against difficult truths.
Can forgetting ever be moral in the pursuit of reconciliation and peace?
Forgetting can be an important tool for achieving reconciliation and peace, but only when it is used in conjunction with other strategies such as forgiveness and empathy. In fact, some scholars have argued that the capacity to forgive requires us to be able to forget certain aspects of past transgressions so that we can move forward and avoid being consumed by anger or resentment.