I was wrong: the meanings of apologies

Nick Smith.978-0-511-39329-7, 978-0-521-68423-1, 9780521865524, 0521865522, 0521684234

Introduction: Apologies as a source of moral meaning in modernity — The meanings of apologies — Elements of the categorical apology — Corroborated factual record — Acceptance of blame — Distinguished from expression of sympathy — Causation and moral responsibility — Accidents and denials of intent — Standing — Identification of each harm — Identification of the moral principles underlying each harm — Endorsing moral principles underlying each harm — Recognition of victim as moral interlocutor — Categorical regret — Performance of the apology — Reform and redress — Intentions for apologizing — Emotions — Apologies and gender — Apologies in diverse religious and cultural traditions — Unusual cases: apologizing to animals, infants, machines, the deceased, and — Yourself — The relationship between apologies and forgiveness — Varieties of apologies — Collective apologies — The collective categorical apology — The problem of consensus — Issues specific to collective apologies — Collectives corroborating factual records — Collectives and blame — Distinguished from collective expressions of sympathy — Collective causation and collective moral responsibility — Collective accidents and denials of intent — Collectives, standing, and delegation — Collectives identifying each harm — Collectives identifying the moral principles underlying each harm — Collectives endorsing moral principles underlying each harm — Collectives recognizing victims as moral interlocutors — Collectives and categorical regret — Collectives performing apologies — Collectives reforming and providing redress — Collective intentions for apologizing — Collective emotions — Varieties of collective apologies — Conclusion: Previewing apologies in law