Forgiveness and Reconciliation in the 21st Century

Abstract

War is routinely taken as the highest form of aggression and violent conflict. Many ethical and moral dilemmas engage with questions about what can, should, and ought to be done in the face of aggression and extreme human suffering. Frequently those engaged in struggle find their own values are challenged. Sometimes this involves a willingness to bomb a few to save many, other times the harms are indirect or secondary. Whether it is so-called precision drone strikes or economic sanctions there are civilian casualties among the collateral damage. This paper examines the moral ambiguity in the fog war in two distinct areas. First, by looking at a gap between victims and perpetrators, in these cases, the person who pulled the trigger or pushed the button can be indistinguishable or unidentifiable in relation to specific harms. Second, by exploring the indirect violence in war that occurs as a result of cultural, structural, or systemic violence. I conclude with thoughts about what this ambiguity and shared responsibility might mean for thinking about the trauma and healing from war.