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Why is the statement "to err is human, to forgive Devine" flawed

User Doubleo
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Final answer:

The statement "to err is human, to forgive divine" may be flawed because it underestimates the human capacity for forgiveness, which could be seen as an enlightened trait stemming from our understanding of our own fallibility. The notion that evil stems from human error overlooks the complex moral decisions humans face, including the choice to forgive, indicating that forgiveness is also a human quality.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement "to err is human, to forgive divine" implies that making mistakes is a part of the human experience, while the ability to forgive is characteristic of a divine, or perfect, entity. One could argue that this aphorism is flawed because it suggests that forgiveness is not a natural human trait, which contradicts the idea that humans are capable of both good and evil acts. By the logic presented in works like Tavris and Aronson's, recognizing and correcting errors is part of our moral development, and forgiveness could be seen as an enlightened human trait that derives from an understanding of our own fallibility.

Furthermore, the assertion that 'evil is the result of human error' and that human error stems from free will invites the consideration of a more complex moral landscape where individuals are capable of choosing to forgive, indicating that forgiveness is within the human realm. This viewpoint aligns with the perspective that if a person mistakes evil for good, they need to be educated to see their error, suggesting that both erring and forgiving are aspects of the human capacity for moral judgement and growth.

User Noc
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