●​ Violence vs.

Non-Violence: A Philosophical and Practical

Debate

What is Violence?

Violence means using force to hurt someone, damage things, or control others. But it's not
just fighting or war—it also includes:

Structural violence (poverty, injustice, racism),

Psychological violence (fear, threats, mental stress).

So, violence can happen through systems or words, not just actions.

What is Non-Violence?

Non-violence means choosing peace over aggression. It's a way to:

Fight against injustice without hurting anyone,

Solve problems through patience, love, and truth,

Create long-lasting peace in society.

Why is this debate important today?

1. Moral and Ethical View

Is violence ever right?

Can we do wrong to bring good results?

Non-violence is usually seen as morally better, but some people say violence may be
necessary in special cases.

2. Real-World Use for Social Change

Both violent and peaceful methods have been used in history.

Violence brings fast results but causes more problems later.

Non-violence takes time but brings real, lasting change.

3. Human Rights and Justice

People often face injustice like racism or dictatorship.

They must decide: Should they fight with weapons or protest peacefully?

Non-violence shows hidden issues like poverty and unfair systems.

4. Peace Between Countries

Countries must choose: War or peace talks?

In big problems like genocide, some say war is needed to stop it. Others say peace is the
only way forward.

5. Effect on Society and Mind

Violence creates fear, pain, and revenge.

Non-violence brings forgiveness, healing, and peace in society.

It helps people live together with trust and respect.

6. History and Culture Matter

Different places and times have different views.

Learning from the past helps us decide what works today.

(Like Gandhi’s movement in India, or Civil Rights in America.)

7. Our Duty as People

This debate asks:

Should I remain silent or speak up?

Should I use peace or force to fix things?

It’s not just a political issue—it’s personal too.

8. Why It’s Still Important Today

Today’s problems (climate change, corruption, inequality) need action.

Should we use peaceful protests or aggressive action?

Technology has made violence easier (cyberattacks, drones) but also more dangerous.

9. Our Hope for the Future

Do we want a violent world or a peaceful one?

Should we accept violence as normal, or work to build peace and fairness for all?

What Do Great Thinkers Say About It?

Those Who Support Violence (in Some Cases):

Thomas Hobbes (England):

Said people are naturally selfish and violent.

Believed a strong government is needed to control people (Social Contract).

Max Weber (Germany):

Said the government has the legal right to use force to keep order (Monopoly of Legitimate
Violence).

Those Who Support Non-Violence:

Mahatma Gandhi (India):

Used Satyagraha (truth + peace) to fight British rule.

Believed non-violence is the most powerful weapon.

Martin Luther King Jr. (USA):

Used peaceful protest to fight racism.

Believed love and peace are stronger than hate.

Different Ethical Views:

Utilitarianism (Bentham & Mill):

Said actions are right if they bring more happiness.

Violence may be okay only if it brings more good than harm.

Deontology (Kant):

Said we should follow rules and morals always.

Violence is always wrong, even for a good reason.

Utilitarianism vs. Deontology

Deontological Ethics (Kantian Ethics)

This theory is based on rules and duty.

Immanuel Kant said an action is right or wrong by itself, not because of its results.

Only actions done with a good intention or good will are ethical.

Example: Telling the truth is always right, even if it causes trouble.

Teleological Ethics (Utilitarianism)

This theory focuses on results or outcomes.

Introduced by Jeremy Bentham and developed by John Stuart Mill.

An action is ethical if it gives the most happiness to the most people.

Example: Lying to save a life may be considered ethical if it helps more people.

Historical Case Studies

Violence in History

French Revolution & Bolshevik Revolution: Used violence to fight injustice and bring change.

Wars of Liberation: Countries like Algeria and Vietnam fought colonial powers using armed
struggle.

Terrorism: Groups like ISIS or events like 9/11 used violence for political goals.

Non-Violence in History

Indian Independence Movement: Gandhi used non-violence (Satyagraha) to fight British

rule.

Civil Rights Movement (USA): MLK led peaceful protests to end racism.

Velvet Revolution (Czechoslovakia): A peaceful protest that removed a Communist

government in 1989.

Contemporary Debates

Self-Defense vs. Aggression

Some say violence is justified in self-defense or to protect others.

Example: Ukraine's resistance to Russia is seen by many as a justified use of violence to
protect the country.

Structural Violence and Technology in Ethics

Structural Violence

This is indirect violence caused by systems like racism, poverty, and unfair laws.

It doesn’t hurt people physically but causes deep social harm.

Big Question: Can peaceful protests and non-violence really change these hidden systems?

Technology and Violence

Today, violence can be done through cyberattacks, drones, and remote weapons.

Social media is now used for peaceful resistance like online campaigns and awareness.

Key Question: Is digital non-violence (like hashtags or posts) enough to stop real violence?

Practical Implications

1. When is Violence Justified?

Just War Theory: Says war is only ethical when it meets certain conditions (e.g.,
self-defense, last option, fair treatment).

Pacifism: Totally rejects violence in any form.

2. The Power of Non-Violence

Non-violence can change hearts and minds.

It builds moral strength, but it's very hard because it needs patience, courage, and
self-control.

3. Hybrid Approaches

Some movements use both peace and force.

Example: Nelson Mandela first supported armed struggle but later led a peaceful movement
of reconciliation in South Africa.

●​ Violence
Violence is when someone intentionally uses physical force or power to hurt themselves,
other people, or groups. This force can be either threatened or actually done. Violence often
causes injury, death, mental or emotional damage, poor growth in children, or takes away
important things people need. This is how the World Health Organization (WHO) defines
violence.

Important Fact About Violence

Did you know that around one out of every three women in the world faces physical or
sexual violence? This shows that violence is very common and can take many forms, not
just hitting or hurting with the body, but also emotional and psychological harm or even unfair
treatment by society.

Types of Violence

Violence can be divided into three main types based on who is involved and the situation.
1. Self-Directed Violence:
This type of violence happens when people hurt themselves on purpose. It can be through
actions like cutting, trying to commit suicide, or abusing drugs and alcohol as a way to harm
themselves. For example, a person who feels very sad or stressed might hurt themselves by
cutting their skin. Another example is when someone tries to take their own life because of
depression.

2. Interpersonal Violence:
This violence happens between people and has two main forms:

Family and Intimate Partner Violence:

This happens inside families or between people who are in romantic relationships. It includes
things like domestic violence where one partner physically or emotionally abuses the other.
For example, a husband hitting his wife or a parent being harsh or abusive to their child.

Community Violence:
This is violence between people who may not know each other personally but live in the
same community. It includes things like fights, bullying, or gang violence. For example, two
strangers getting into a street fight or children being bullied at school.

3. Collective Violence:
This is violence that is done by larger groups like governments, political groups, or social
groups. It can take different forms:

Social Violence: This includes hate crimes where people are attacked because of their
race, religion, or ethnicity. For example, attacks on a minority community just because they
follow a different religion.

Political Violence: This happens during wars, terrorism, or violence carried out by
governments. For example, the Syrian Civil War or terrorist attacks by groups like ISIS.
Economic Violence: This happens when people are forced to work in bad conditions or
kept poor on purpose. For example, forced labor or human trafficking, where people are
exploited for money or power.

Different Forms of Violence

Violence can also be described by how it affects people:

Physical Violence: This is when someone’s body is hurt directly. For example, hitting,
punching, or stabbing someone.

Psychological or Emotional Violence: This is when someone’s mind or feelings are hurt. It
could be through insults, threats, or making someone feel scared or lonely. For example, a
person being constantly insulted by their partner or being ignored and isolated by friends.

Sexual Violence: This includes any sexual act done without the person’s permission. For
example, rape or unwanted touching or sexual harassment at work.

Structural Violence: This is a kind of violence that happens through unfair systems in
society, like racism, poverty, or sexism. These systems harm people without direct physical
violence. For example, when poor children cannot go to school because their family is very
poor, or when certain groups are treated unfairly because of their race or gender.

How to Recognize Violence

To identify violence, we look at different signs:

1. Behavioral Signs:
Physical injuries like bruises or cuts can show violence. Also, changes in how someone
acts—like becoming very quiet, scared, or angry—can be signs. If a child is afraid to be
around a certain adult or hides injuries, that is a big warning sign.

2. Psychological Signs:
Violence can cause mental health problems like anxiety, depression, or PTSD
(Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). People may feel worthless or very sad because of
emotional abuse. For example, someone who is constantly insulted may lose confidence
and feel very low.

3. Contextual Signs:
Sometimes violence is seen in how people control or treat others unfairly. If one partner
controls all the money or stops the other from meeting friends, that is a form of violence.
Also, when society or laws treat some groups unfairly, it creates violence.

4. Institutional and Structural Signs:

Some violence happens through organizations or government systems that treat certain
groups unfairly. For example, if women are paid less than men for the same job, or if police
target a group unfairly, that is structural violence. Economic exploitation or denying basic
rights is also a form of violence.