The Ethics of Remembering and the Consequences of Forgetting

The Ethics of Remembering and the Consequences of Forgetting
Author: Michael O'Loughlin
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 407
Release: 2014-12-18
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1442231882

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The Ethics of Remembering and the Consequences of Forgetting: Essays on Trauma, History, and Memory brings together scholars from a variety of disciplines that draw on multiple perspectives to address issues that arise at the intersection of trauma, history, and memory. Contributors include critical theorists, critical historians, psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, and a working artist. The authors use intergenerational trauma theory while also pushing and pulling at the edges of conventional understandings of how trauma is defined. This book respects the importance of the recuperation of memory and the creation of interstitial spaces where trauma might be voiced. The writers are consistent in showing a deep respect for the sociohistorical context of subjective formation and the political importance of recuperating dangerous memory—the kind of memory that some authorities go to great lengths to erase. The Ethics of Remembering and the Consequences of Forgetting is of interest to critical historians, critical social theorists, psychotherapists, psychosocial theorists, and to those exploring the possibilities of life as the practice of freedom.

The Moral Demands of Memory

The Moral Demands of Memory
Author: Jeffrey Blustein
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 13
Release: 2008-03-03
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 1139470795

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Despite an explosion of studies on memory in historical and cultural studies, there is relatively little in moral philosophy on this subject. In this book, Jeffrey Blustein provides a systematic and philosophically rigorous account of a morality of memory. Drawing on a broad range of philosophical and humanistic literatures, he offers a novel examination of memory and our relations to people and events from our past, the ways in which memory is preserved and transmitted, and the moral responsibilities associated with it. Blustein treats topics of responsibility for one's own past; historical injustice and the role of memory in doing justice to the past; the relationship of collective memory to history and identity; collective and individual obligations to remember those who have died, including those who are dear to us; and the moral significance of bearing witness.

Memory, History, Forgetting

Memory, History, Forgetting
Author: Paul Ricoeur
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 662
Release: 2009-01-01
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 0226713466

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Why do major historical events such as the Holocaust occupy the forefront of the collective consciousness, while profound moments such as the Armenian genocide, the McCarthy era, and France's role in North Africa stand distantly behind? Is it possible that history "overly remembers" some events at the expense of others? A landmark work in philosophy, Paul Ricoeur's Memory, History, Forgetting examines this reciprocal relationship between remembering and forgetting, showing how it affects both the perception of historical experience and the production of historical narrative. Memory, History, Forgetting, like its title, is divided into three major sections. Ricoeur first takes a phenomenological approach to memory and mnemonical devices. The underlying question here is how a memory of present can be of something absent, the past. The second section addresses recent work by historians by reopening the question of the nature and truth of historical knowledge. Ricoeur explores whether historians, who can write a history of memory, can truly break with all dependence on memory, including memories that resist representation. The third and final section is a profound meditation on the necessity of forgetting as a condition for the possibility of remembering, and whether there can be something like happy forgetting in parallel to happy memory. Throughout the book there are careful and close readings of the texts of Aristotle and Plato, of Descartes and Kant, and of Halbwachs and Pierre Nora. A momentous achievement in the career of one of the most significant philosophers of our age, Memory, History, Forgetting provides the crucial link between Ricoeur's Time and Narrative and Oneself as Another and his recent reflections on ethics and the problems of responsibility and representation. “His success in revealing the internal relations between recalling and forgetting, and how this dynamic becomes problematic in light of events once present but now past, will inspire academic dialogue and response but also holds great appeal to educated general readers in search of both method for and insight from considering the ethical ramifications of modern events. . . . It is indeed a master work, not only in Ricoeur’s own vita but also in contemporary European philosophy.”—Library Journal “Ricoeur writes the best kind of philosophy—critical, economical, and clear.”— New York Times Book Review

Our Faithfulness to the Past

Our Faithfulness to the Past
Author: Sue Campbell
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 249
Release: 2014
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 019937693X

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This volume brings together essays -- three of them previously unpublished -- on the epistemology, ethics, and politics of memory by the late feminist philosopher Sue Campbell. The essays in Part I diagnose contemporary skepticism about personal memory, and develop an account of good remembering that is better suited to contemporary (reconstructive) theories of memory. Campbell argues that being faithful to the past requires both accuracy and integrity, and is both an epistemic and an ethical achievement. The essays in Part II focus on the activities and practices through which we explore and negotiate the shared significance of our different recollections of the past, and the importance of sharing memory for constituting our identities. Views about self, identity, relation, and responsibility (all influenced by traditions in feminist philosophy) are examined through the lens of Campbell's relational conception of memory. She argues that remaining faithful to our past sometimes requires us to re-negotiate the boundaries between ourselves and the collectives to which we belong. In Part III, Campbell uses her relational theory of memory to address the challenges of sharing memory and renewing selves in contexts that are fractured by moral and political difference, especially those arising from a history of injustice and oppression. She engages in detail Canada's Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission, where survivor memories have the potential to illuminate the significance of the past for a shared future. The study of memory brings together philosophers, psychologists, historians, anthropologists, legal theorists, and political theorists and activists. Sue Campbell demonstrates a singular ability to put these many different areas of scholarship and activism into fruitful conversation with each other while also adding an original and powerful voice to the discussion.

Public Forgetting

Public Forgetting
Author: Bradford Vivian
Publisher: Penn State Press
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2015-10-13
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 0271075007

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Forgetting is usually juxtaposed with memory as its opposite in a negative way: it is seen as the loss of the ability to remember, or, ironically, as the inevitable process of distortion or dissolution that accompanies attempts to commemorate the past. The civic emphasis on the crucial importance of preserving lessons from the past to prevent us from repeating mistakes that led to violence and injustice, invoked most poignantly in the call of “Never again” from Holocaust survivors, tends to promote a view of forgetting as verging on sin or irresponsibility. In this book, Bradford Vivian hopes to put a much more positive spin on forgetting by elucidating its constitutive role in the formation and transformation of public memory. Using examples ranging from classical rhetoric to contemporary crises like 9/11, Public Forgetting demonstrates how, contrary to conventional wisdom, communities may adopt idioms of forgetting in order to create new and beneficial standards of public judgment concerning the lessons and responsibilities of their shared past.

The Ethics of Memory in a Digital Age

The Ethics of Memory in a Digital Age
Author: A. Ghezzi
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 155
Release: 2014-11-16
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1137428457

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This edited volume documents the current reflections on the 'Right to be Forgotten' and the interplay between the value of memory and citizen rights about memory. It provides a comprehensive analysis of problems associated with persistence of memory, the definition of identities (legal and social) and the issues arising for data management.

Fragments of Trauma and the Social Production of Suffering

Fragments of Trauma and the Social Production of Suffering
Author: Michael O'Loughlin
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 341
Release: 2014-11-05
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1442231866

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Fragments of Trauma and the Social Production of Suffering: Trauma, History, and Memory offers a kaleidoscope of perspectives that highlight the problem of traumatic memory. Because trauma fragments memory, storytelling is impeded by what is unknowable and what is unspeakable. Each of the contributors tackles the problem of narrativizing memory that is constructed from fragments that have been passed along the generations. When trauma is cultural as well as personal, it becomes even more invisible, as each generation’s attempts at coping push the pain further below the surface. Consequently, that pain becomes increasingly ineffable, haunting succeeding generations. In each story the contributors offer, there emerges the theme of difference, a difference that turns back on itself and makes an accusation. Themes of knowing and unknowing show the terrible toll that trauma takes when there is no one with whom the trauma can be acknowledged and worked through. In the face of utter lack of recognition, what might be known together becomes hidden. Our failure to speak to these unaspirated truths becomes a betrayal of self and also of others. In the case of intergenerational and cultural trauma, we betray not only our ancestors but also the future generations to come. In the face of unacknowledged trauma, this book reveals that we are confronted with the perennial choice of speaking or becoming complicit in our silence.

The End of Memory

The End of Memory
Author: Miroslav Volf
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Total Pages: 331
Release: 2021-01-12
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1467462020

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Winner of the Christianity Today Book Award in Christianity and Culture How should we remember atrocities? Should we ever forgive abusers? Can we not hope for final reconciliation, even if it means redeemed victims and perpetrators spending eternity together? We live in an age that insists that past wrongs—genocides, terrorist attacks, bald personal injustices—should never be forgotten. But Miroslav Volf here proposes the radical idea that letting go of such memories—after a certain point and under certain conditions—may actually be a gift of grace we should embrace. Volf’s personal stories of persecution and interrogation frame his search for theological resources to make memories a wellspring of healing rather than a source of deepening pain and animosity. Controversial, thoughtful, and incisively reasoned, The End of Memory begins a conversation that we avoid to our great detriment. This second edition includes an appendix on the memories of perpetrators as well as victims, a response to critics, and a James K. A. Smith interview with Volf about the nature and function of memory in the Christian life.

Ethics of Memory

Ethics of Memory
Author: John Harlem
Publisher: Independently Published
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2023-05-03
Genre:
ISBN:

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Memory is an essential component of human identity and plays a crucial role in shaping our perceptions of the past, present, and future. Our memories inform our actions and decisions, and they help us create meaning and purpose in our lives. However, memory is not a neutral phenomenon; it is influenced by our social, cultural, and historical contexts. As such, the ethics of memory must be examined in light of these factors, particularly in cases where the act of remembering has significant consequences for individuals or communities. One key ethical consideration in the realm of memory is the question of who gets to remember and how. In many societies, certain groups have historically been excluded from participating in dominant narratives of national or cultural memory. For instance, Indigenous peoples may be denied the right to remember their histories and traditions, or marginalized groups may be excluded from commemorations of national events. In these cases, the ethics of memory require that we consider the implications of this exclusion, and seek to create space for these groups to share their stories and perspectives. Another ethical concern related to memory is the issue of accuracy and truth. Memories are often fallible, and they can be influenced by factors such as bias, emotion, and the passage of time. As such, it is important to critically evaluate the accuracy of individual and collective memories, particularly in cases where they have been used to justify harmful actions or policies. In these instances, ethical considerations demand that we seek to uncover and acknowledge the truth of past events, even if this challenges dominant narratives or challenges widely-held beliefs. A related issue is the role of memory in shaping collective identity and cultural norms. Memories of past events can be used to legitimize particular cultural practices or social structures, and they may serve as a basis for social cohesion or conflict. In this context, the ethics of memory require us to critically evaluate the implications of these memories, and to consider the ways in which they may be perpetuating harm or perpetuating inequality. For instance, memories of colonialism may reinforce attitudes of superiority and entitlement, while memories of resistance and liberation may inspire calls for justice and equity. Finally, the ethics of memory require us to consider the potential limitations of memory as a tool for reconciliation, healing, and justice. While memories of past harms can be a catalyst for transformation and progress, they can also be a source of trauma and re-victimization. As such, the ethics of memory demand that we approach memory work with sensitivity and compassion, and that we recognize the limitations of memory in addressing systemic issues such as racism, sexism, and economic inequality. In conclusion, the ethics of memory are a complex and multifaceted topic that require careful consideration of the social, cultural, and historical contexts in which they occur. By exploring the obligations and limitations of remembering, we can gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which memory shapes our lives and our societies, and we can work to create more just and equitable memory practices.

The Seven Sins of Memory

The Seven Sins of Memory
Author: Daniel L. Schacter
Publisher: HMH
Total Pages: 289
Release: 2002-05-07
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0547347456

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A New York Times Notable Book: A psychologist’s “gripping and thought-provoking” look at how and why our brains sometimes fail us (Steven Pinker, author of How the Mind Works). In this intriguing study, Harvard psychologist Daniel L. Schacter explores the memory miscues that occur in everyday life, placing them into seven categories: absent-mindedness, transience, blocking, misattribution, suggestibility, bias, and persistence. Illustrating these concepts with vivid examples—case studies, literary excerpts, experimental evidence, and accounts of highly visible news events such as the O. J. Simpson verdict, Bill Clinton’s grand jury testimony, and the search for the Oklahoma City bomber—he also delves into striking new scientific research, giving us a glimpse of the fascinating neurology of memory and offering “insight into common malfunctions of the mind” (USA Today). “Though memory failure can amount to little more than a mild annoyance, the consequences of misattribution in eyewitness testimony can be devastating, as can the consequences of suggestibility among pre-school children and among adults with ‘false memory syndrome’ . . . Drawing upon recent neuroimaging research that allows a glimpse of the brain as it learns and remembers, Schacter guides his readers on a fascinating journey of the human mind.” —Library Journal “Clear, entertaining and provocative . . . Encourages a new appreciation of the complexity and fragility of memory.” —The Seattle Times “Should be required reading for police, lawyers, psychologists, and anyone else who wants to understand how memory can go terribly wrong.” —The Atlanta Journal-Constitution “A fascinating journey through paths of memory, its open avenues and blind alleys . . . Lucid, engaging, and enjoyable.” —Jerome Groopman, MD “Compelling in its science and its probing examination of everyday life, The Seven Sins of Memory is also a delightful book, lively and clear.” —Chicago Tribune Winner of the William James Book Award