Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Format of Original
21 p.
Publication Date
7-2010
Publisher
Wiley
Source Publication
Metaphilosophy
Source ISSN
0026-1068
Original Item ID
doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9973.2010.01650.x
Abstract
International instruments now defend a “right to the truth” for victims of political repression and violence and include truth telling about human rights violations as a kind of reparation as well as a form of redress. While truth telling about violations is obviously a condition of redress or repair for violations, it may not be clear how truth telling itself is a kind of reparations. By showing that concerted truth telling can satisfy four features of suitable reparations vehicles, I defend the idea that politically implemented modes of truth telling to, for, and by those who are victims of gross violation and injustice may with good reason be counted as a kind of reparations. Understanding the doubly symbolic character of reparations, however, makes clearer why truth telling is unlikely to be sufficient reparation for serious wrongs and is likely to be sensitive to the larger context of reparative activity and its social, political, and historical background.
Recommended Citation
Walker, Margaret Urban, "Truth Telling As Reparations" (2010). Philosophy Faculty Research and Publications. 149.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/phil_fac/149
Comments
Accepted version. Metaphilosophy, Vol. 41, No. 4 (July 2010): 525-545. DOI. © 2010 The Author Journal compilation © 2010 Metaphilosophy LLC and Blackwell Publishing Ltd Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Used with permission.
Margaret Urban Walker was affiliated with Arizona State University at the time of publication.