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Jonathan Sumption: Don't Apologise

Four ThoughtSeries 2

Jonathan Sumption discusses the concept of inherited guilt, and argues that there are serious moral objections to apologising today for historical events.

Judge and historian Jonathan Sumption discusses modern apologies for historical events.

Starting with Tony Blair's apology for the Irish potato famine and Pope John Paul II's 94 such apologies, he argues that the trend is turning into a tide.

He argues that such apologies rely on a concept of inherited guilt, and asks whether the benefits ever outweigh the serious moral and philosophical objections.

Producer: Giles Edwards.

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15 minutes

Last on

Sun 8 May 201105:45
BBC Radio 4

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Broadcasts

  • Wed 4 May 201120:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Sun 8 May 201105:45
    BBC Radio 4

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