On all of the definitions, pacifist means strongly and actively opposed to conflict and especially war. there were small variances, but they all meant the same thing. People who are opposed to violence, and therefore do not participate in it. Non violence means abstention from violence as a matter of principle. You agree that both of these terms have great similarities, yes? Pacifists are the embodiment of non violence. now here is the tricky part, are pacifists people who do not believe in unnecessary violence, or all violence? If a pacifist is the first, then I could be classified as one, but if it is the latter, I am most definitely not a pacifist. I do not have a violent disposition, but I am willing to resort to violence to protect myself and those I love. There are definitely different levels of non violence and pacifism, but the purest form of both has serious moral issues. They will refuse to fight for themselves in a dangerous situation, and will not protect an innocent man being attacked or killed. This absolute pacifism is not only dangerous to the individual, but it can also be dangerous to those around them. Maybe violence is wrong in a perfect world, but ours is far from it since pacifism believes in the goodness of human nature even thought the past has proven time and time again that human nature can be just as cruel as it can be kind.
Pacifism is not refusing to protect others in need, it is refusing to use violence against others. You can be a pacifist AND protect others. Also, as Asher pointed out above, many people have accomplished their goals through pacifism. This leads me to believe that while, as you say, complete non-violent measures are unrealistic at this point in time, humanity as a whole should strive to increase the use of non-violent protests.
ReplyDeleteI, myself am a pacifist and just as Megan pointed out, it is a positive aspect, rather than a negative. My belief is that the world is full of pacifists, yet none of them act on their beliefs, so in other words, they are useless. Asher pointed many noble and heroic figures that had a voice against nonviolence, so the world is in desperate need of active and courageous pacifists, who aren't fearful of the consequences most of them will face - heroes who are willing to surpass all measures to make a stand, a point, and a difference.
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