I was wrong : the meanings of apologies / Nick Smith.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

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.