Mahatma Gandhi – Forgiveness
“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Big Idea
Students know what it feels like to be hurt. When they are hurt, they have choices to make about how to treat the people who hurt them. These choices give them opportunities to demonstrate empathy and respect for others and to preserve relationships, or break them off. Forgiveness is a moral choice which strikes at the heart of ethical decision-making.
Claim
Here anti-colonial nationalist Mahatma Gandhi suggests that forgiveness is a sign of a strong character. Weak people are petty and hold grudges against others.
Counterclaim
But forgiveness often lets people off the hook. Strong people are able to hold others accountable and teach others that they are not to be taken advantage of.
Essential
Question
How do we know when forgiving somebody is the right thing to do?
Student Video
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