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A Systemic Framework for Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Peace: Interconnecting Psychological and Social Processes

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Forgiveness and Reconciliation

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Abstract

Forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace pose possibilities for human relations. Only humans engage in malignant aggression (Fromm, 1941/1965; 1973) interpersonally and through socio-political violence (Chirot & Seligman, 2001).

Then I realized something. That last thought had brought no sting with it. Closing Sohrab’s door, I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night.

Khaled Hosseini, The kite runner (p. 359).

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Massey, R.F., Abu-Baker, K. (2009). A Systemic Framework for Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Peace: Interconnecting Psychological and Social Processes. In: Forgiveness and Reconciliation. Peace Psychology Book Series. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0181-1_2

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