Philosophy Of Nonviolence Essay

The philosophy of nonviolence is not simply a means of rebellion, but a basis for the eradication of unjust laws. This method of confronting expression towards unreasonable politicians and law upholders has become a revolutionary solution to civil injustices, such as black oppression, apartheid and colonization. How may one define an unjust law? A just law can be recognized by its agreement with the law of god, while an unjust law is a decree that degrades human personality and promotes the exclusion of minorities (Letter From Birmingham Jail, 9-10). After defining an unjust law, direct action must be taken to spread awareness, and create issues, among the enforcing officials and general population. (Letter From Birmingham Jail, 1-27) King’s idea of direct nonviolent action resembled Gandhi’s idea of Satyagraha, a method of resistance based on civility and morals, which can be translated from
The main idea of Satyagraha is the connection between a means and a solution. Instead of accepting major belief’s that contradictory methods and ends would lead to a pleasing result, Gandhi defined Satyagraha as a mode and end with equal morality. For instance, a violent uprising would lead to a violent end. This principle first became a part of Gandhi’s campaign in South Africa when a reader shared the term with Gandhi, by ways of his communal newspaper: The Indian-Opinion. Years later, Satyagraha would serve as the basic structure for the Indian Independence movement. Another foundation of these two revolutions was Ahimsa (The Method Is Born, 48-49). This idea entailed the overall idea of peace and non-violence (The Method Is Born, 17-19). In order to achieve Ahimsa, Gandhi needed his supporters to use the principle of Satyagraha, in order to obtain a peaceful end they needed to use peaceful means. In this way, Gandhi led two headline protests over the course of his life, all based off of these Hindu