What are we talking about here? Could someone provide an operational definition of forgiveness?
Until we know we are talking about the same thing, we can’t really say anything about how the theory of evolution would explain forgiveness. No real need for an explanation, either.
So for now, since we don’t have a definition, I’m just talking through my hat about forgiveness.
I think forgiveness is said to be divine because it can be terribly difficult. So difficult that only a god could do it. But that’s just human hyperbole. Poetic license.
Forgiveness serves many purposes. Mostly it helps people get past being hung up on wrongs done them. It allows them to move on in their thinking. We can get really stuck when we’ve been wronged, and many people can think of nothing but revenge. Of course, it’s hard to get revenge, and thinking about revenge all the time keeps you from living your life. Forgiveness allows you to move on and get back to your life.
If there is anything evolutionary about it, it’s because people who didn’t forgive would get stuck in life, and never be able to care for themselves. They’d die, working on revenge. Whereas those who forgave could move on and live their own lives. I have seen people who are so stuck on not letting someone get over on them ever again that they never accomplish anything else. It’s pretty sad.
I mean, imagine being so messed up you couldn’t generate any interest in procreation! But that’s the only way I can imagine it working evolutionarily, and that seems pretty far-fetched.