Forgiveness, Repentance, and Diachronic Blameworthiness

Abstract Many theorists have found the notion of forgiveness to be paradoxical, for it is thought that only blameworthy can appropriately forgiven but are blamed, not forgiven. Some appealed repentance resolve this tension. But others objected such a response explanatorily inadequate in sense merely stipulates and names solution leaving transformative power unexplained. Worse still, cannot succeed because no amount render blameworthy. I argue latter objection based on mistaken assumption, acknowledgement which has paradox way meets explanatory adequacy challenge and, more generally, significant implications with any full theory must engage.