Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Onkar Ghate and Tristan de Liège discuss why the traditional conception of forgiveness is evil and indicate how to think of it from an Objectivist perspective.
Among the topics covered:
● How forgiveness is conventionally understood;
● Why the idea of “forgive and forget” enables injustice;
● Why forgiving a murderous dictator like Putin would be horrific;
● Why a rational view of forgiveness must be rooted in justice;
● The story of Mosab Hassan Yousef as an example of earning forgiveness;
● How healing from injustice comes from maintaining a positive value context, not forgiveness;
● Whether there is need for a separate concept of forgiveness.
Recommended in this podcast are the Ayn Rand Lexicon entries on “Mercy,” [courses.aynrand.org/lexicon/mercy/] “Justice,” [courses.aynrand.org/lexicon/justice/] and “Moral Judgment” [courses.aynrand.org/lexicon/moral-judgment/].
The podcast was recorded on February 14, 2025 and posted on February 19, 2025.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:10 Conventional view of forgiveness
0:10:01 “Forgive and forget” as enabling injustice
0:18:33 Forgiving a murderous dictator would be horrific
0:23:54 A rational view of forgiveness rooted in justice
0:35:57 Mosab Hassan Yousef and earning forgiveness
0:42:09 Positive value context and healing rom injustice
0:49:34 Do we need a separate concept of “forgiveness”
Subscribe to ARI’s YouTube channel to make sure you never miss a video:
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=AynRandInstitute
Download or stream free courses on Ayn Rand’s works and ideas with the Ayn Rand Institute app:
– App Store itunes.apple.com/us/app/ayn-rand-university/id1452535178?mt=8
– Google Play play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aynrandu
ARI is funded by donor contributions. You can support our work by becoming an ARI Member or making a one-time contribution: ari.aynrand.org/donate
Explore these ideas further! ARI's online publication, New Ideal, explores pressing cultural issues from the perspective of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism: newideal.aynrand.org
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******
Join an upcoming virtual or in-person event: ari.aynrand.org/events
Visit ARI’s website for more about our content and programs: ari.aynrand.org
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Onkar Ghate and Tristan de Liège discuss why the traditional conception of forgiveness is evil and indicate how to think of it from an Objectivist perspective.
Among the topics covered:
● How forgiveness is conventionally understood;
● Why the idea of “forgive and forget” enables injustice;
● Why forgiving a murderous dictator like Putin would be horrific;
● Why a rational view of forgiveness must be rooted in justice;
● The story of Mosab Hassan Yousef as an example of earning forgiveness;
● How healing from injustice comes from maintaining a positive value context, not forgiveness;
● Whether there is need for a separate concept of forgiveness.
Recommended in this podcast are the Ayn Rand Lexicon entries on “Mercy,” [courses.aynrand.org/lexicon/mercy/] “Justice,” [courses.aynrand.org/lexicon/justice/] and “Moral Judgment” [courses.aynrand.org/lexicon/moral-judgment/].
The podcast was recorded on February 14, 2025 and posted on February 19, 2025.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:10 Conventional view of forgiveness
0:10:01 “Forgive and forget” as enabling injustice
0:18:33 Forgiving a murderous dictator would be horrific
0:23:54 A rational view of forgiveness rooted in justice
0:35:57 Mosab Hassan Yousef and earning forgiveness
0:42:09 Positive value context and healing rom injustice
0:49:34 Do we need a separate concept of “forgiveness”
Subscribe to ARI’s YouTube channel to make sure you never miss a video:
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=AynRandInstitute
Download or stream free courses on Ayn Rand’s works and ideas with the Ayn Rand Institute app:
– App Store itunes.apple.com/us/app/ayn-rand-university/id1452535178?mt=8
– Google Play play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aynrandu
ARI is funded by donor contributions. You can support our work by becoming an ARI Member or making a one-time contribution: ari.aynrand.org/donate
Explore these ideas further! ARI's online publication, New Ideal, explores pressing cultural issues from the perspective of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism: newideal.aynrand.org
******
Keep in Touch! Sign up to receive email updates from ARI: aynrand.org/signup
Follow ARI on Twitter: twitter.com/AynRandInst
Follow ARI on Facebook: facebook.com/AynRandInstitute
Follow ARI on Instagram: instagram.com/aynrandorg
Subscribe to the ARI Live! podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ayn-rand-institute-live/id1440399458
******
Join an upcoming virtual or in-person event: ari.aynrand.org/events
Visit ARI’s website for more about our content and programs: ari.aynrand.org
