In this age of grievance and deadly conflict, what can we learn about forgiveness through the lens of science that expands what religion and moral philosophy teach us?

Social scientists have now been studying the psychological benefits of interpersonal forgiveness for more than thirty years.1 The act of forgiving, they have found, can have benefits both mental (less anger, anxiety, and depression) and physical (lower blood pressure, better sleep, improved immune system).2

More recently, researchers have been studying whether they can apply what they have learned about interpersonal forgiveness to group forgiveness—as a way to reduce conflict among groups and enhance the prospects for peace.3,4

One of the leading researchers in studying forgiveness is neuroscientist Dr. Matt Hirshberg, Research Assistant Professor at the Center for Healthy Minds. I asked Matt to explain some of the research he is working on.

Dale Kushner: Please share the mission of the Center for Healthy Minds and the path that brought you there.

Matt Hirshberg: The Center for Healthy Minds (CHM) is a research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-M). Its mission is to cultivate well-being and reduce suffering through a scientific understanding of the mind. My professional career began as a middle school teacher. I viewed my role as a teacher primarily through the lens of supporting a holistic notion of healthy development in my students. That meant that, although I was concerned with them learning class content, I was more focused on their development of social-emotional and academic skills that carry forward throughout life, including what have often been called virtues such as a forgiveness and compassion.

I had been a meditator before I began teaching and........

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