Gandhian Pacifism
Gandhian Pacifism Pacifism is opposition to the practice of war. Many pacifists have a commitment to non-violence in general in society, making a commitment to achieving one 's goals only through actively non-violent resistance or non-aggressive means. Among these pacifists, there may also be differing views as to what constitutes violence. There are several different varieties of pacifism including those who believe killing is always wrong, those who believe that any kind of violence is wrong, those who argue that personal violence is always wrong but political violence is sometimes right, and those who justify some person violence but reject war as always wrong. Mohandas K. Gandhi believed in the doctrine of Ahimsa, which stands for non-killing. He believes no form of violence is acceptable.
A more peaceful way of life is dreamed about by everyone but it seems almost impossible to achieve. In his essay, Gandhi says that to reach this level which he considered bringing offense to no other person, keeping pure thoughts especially with your enemies, and not resenting your friends or enemies actions, you must continue this practice throughout your life, you cannot simply achieve it in one day. Gandhi believed in not only spreading this as a practice but lives his life based on this doctrine. Non-violence looks good on paper, and seems like it would function well, there would be less blood in our world, and instead more conversations, more peace between people and nations but would this really hold up completely today? In the most recent war Afghanistan what would have happened if the president had decided to practice pacifism and do nothing in return based on our beliefs that war is always wrong? Was this even an option for our country? Our president as our leader decided to act accordingly in response to the events going on to protect our nation. Many people think he made a good decision. What if he was a pacifist? He
A more peaceful way of life is dreamed about by everyone but it seems almost impossible to achieve. In his essay, Gandhi says that to reach this level which he considered bringing offense to no other person, keeping pure thoughts especially with your enemies, and not resenting your friends or enemies actions, you must continue this practice throughout your life, you cannot simply achieve it in one day. Gandhi believed in not only spreading this as a practice but lives his life based on this doctrine. Non-violence looks good on paper, and seems like it would function well, there would be less blood in our world, and instead more conversations, more peace between people and nations but would this really hold up completely today? In the most recent war Afghanistan what would have happened if the president had decided to practice pacifism and do nothing in return based on our beliefs that war is always wrong? Was this even an option for our country? Our president as our leader decided to act accordingly in response to the events going on to protect our nation. Many people think he made a good decision. What if he was a pacifist? He
Cited: Bignell, Kate. "Shopping for Non-violence." 26 May 2004. . "Coercion." Wikepedia Free Encyclopedia 12 April 2005. . Gandhi, Mohandas K. "The Doctrine of Ahisma." Just War: A Wadsworth Casebook in Argument. Eds. Sharon K. Walsh, Evelyn D. Asch. Australia: Thomas Wadsworth, 2004. 177 Lackey, Douglas P. "Varietites of Pacifism." Just War: A Wadsworth Casebook in Argument. Eds. Sharon K. Walsh, Evelyn D. Asch. Australia: Thomas Wadsworth, 2004. 154.