Is an Apology Necessary?

[RDKirk]

"Sometimes you can do everything right...and still fail." -- Jean-Luc Picard (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

If you did everything right and still failed...do you own anyone an apology, even if your failure caused them injury?

 

[RileyG]

"Sometimes you can do everything right...and still fail." -- Jean-Luc Picard (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

If you did everything right and still failed...do you own anyone an apology, even if your failure caused them injury?

I think it depends on the nature of the relationship.

 

[RDKirk]

I think it depends on the nature of the relationship.

Some examples?

 

[Hentenza]

Giving an apology never hurt anyone.

 

[Aaron112]

"Sometimes you can do everything right...and still fail." -- Jean-Luc Picard (Star Trek: The Next Generation)

If you did everything right and still failed...do you own anyone an apology, even if your failure caused them injury?

Search the Bible. No one owes anyone an apology, and apologies usually are artificial and harmful continuance of harmful society.

 

[Hentenza]

Search the Bible. No one owes anyone an apology, and apologies usually are artificial and harmful continuance of harmful society.

“Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. | New American Standard Bible - NASB (NASB2020) | Download The Bible App Now

Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

bible.com

 

[Aaron112]

Nothing to do there or anywhere with a fake apology the way evil society promotes.

 

[Bradskii]

"I truly did my utmost, but I'm so sorry that I wasn't able to prevent you suffering harm".

 

[RileyG]

Some examples?

If someone truly didn’t mean to hurt someone, an apology may not be necessary.

 

[MehGuy]

Depends on the circumstances. For example was the help asked for? If so, an apology isn't probably needed and shallow at best. If the help wasn't asked for, an apology is probably warranted.

 

[RileyG]

Depends on the circumstances. For example was the help asked for? If so, an apology isn't probably needed and shallow at best. If the help wasn't asked for, an apology is probably warranted.

I agree.

 

[MehGuy]

I agree.

Yeah. Although helping someone without initially being asked for help could arguably violate the OP's rule about doing everything right, lol.

 

[ozso]

You can be sorry things didn't turn out right.

 

[RileyG]

You can be sorry things didn't turn out right.

I also agree with you.

 

[RDKirk]

If someone truly didn’t mean to hurt someone, an apology may not be necessary.

I think if we state that "everything was done right," we can presume that much.

 

[RDKirk]

You can be sorry things didn't turn out right.

That would not be an apology, though.

That would be more accurately considered sympathy.

 

[ozso]

That would not be an apology, though.

That would be more accurately considered sympathy.

Well like others have pointed out it depends on the circumstances. And there's not enough detail in the scenario to have any idea of what the circumstances are. There's no one size fits all answer.

 

[RDKirk]

Well like others have pointed out it depends on the circumstances. And there's not enough detail in the scenario to have any idea of what the circumstances are. There's no one size fits all answer.

It's based on what "apology" actually means.

If your actions were, in fact, the right actions, there can't be regret for them regardless of the results, even if one is unhappy with the results.

 

[ozso]

It's based on what "apology" actually means.

If your actions were, in fact, the right actions, there can't be regret for them regardless of the results, even if one is unhappy with the results.

Well the dictionary says it's a regretful acknowledgment of an offense or failure. And since failure has been ruled out that leaves offense. And if you did everything right, there wouldn't be an offense involved.

Like lets say you help someone out by offering them a ride, and you drive very carefully and skillfully, but the car get's t-boned on the passenger side anyways. And the passenger is injured. You didn't wrong or offend or violate that person in any way, so you don't owe them an apology of offense. Only a sympathetic apology of regret would apply.

And if you don't like that reply, I'm real sorry tough beans.

 

[Robban]

Well the dictionary says it's a regretful acknowledgment of an offense or failure. And since failure has been ruled out that leaves offense. And if you did everything right, there wouldn't be an offense involved.

Like lets say you help someone out by offering them a ride, and you drive very carefully and skillfully, but the car get's t-boned on the passenger side anyways. And the passenger is injured. You didn't wrong or offend or violate that person in any way, so you don't owe them an apology of offense. Only a sympathetic apology of regret would apply.

And if you don't like that reply, I'm real sorry tough beans.

Failure has not been ruled out, ".........if you did everything right but failed."

How can that be?

Well, you cannot please everyone.