Giving revenge its due

Abstract Though many philosophers reject revenge as unreasonable, sunk‐cost behavior, their condemnation of revenge is too hasty. Some forms of revenge are rational, while others are not. In this article I examine these different kinds and identify one which expresses faithful concern for victims. I then consider what, exactly, revenge accomplishes, with the aim of showing how revenge can be a rational tool for recontextualizing past injustices.