Pacifism

Question 1

What is violence?

Answer 1

Physical injury to humans

Question 2

What is pacifism?

Answer 2

Pacifism is the ethical argument against violence.

Question 3

What are the 5 deontological arguments against violence?

Answer 3

Violence causes harm.
Violence is akin to enslavement.
Since humans cannot agree on the nature of evil, we cannot justify violence in resisting it.
The use of violence normalises it in society.
Violence debases the perpetrator.

Question 4

What are the 7 consequentialist arguments against violence?

Answer 4

Humans make mistakes and are hypocritical - violence shouldn’t be used in any context.
Violence retaliates against victims of violence.
Violence can spiral out of control.
Violence against a more powerful agent is strategically unwise.
Violence by a strong agent makes its victims resentful => further violence.
Violence turns impartial witnesses against the violent agent
Violence => only extrinsic motivation

Question 5

Definitions of Extrinsic, Deontological and consequentialist.

Answer 5

Extrinsic motivation is when someone is motivated to do something to avoid punishment or gain a reward.
Deontological arguments are those considered morally good because of a characteristic of the action itself not the outcome.
Consequentialist arguments is judging whether something is right or not based on the outcome.

Question 6

Is pacifism an alternative to violence?

Answer 6

Yes, pacifism could be considered ‘turning the other cheek’ to break the cycle of violence. Also to refuse the dehumanisation of enemies.

Question 7

Why is Christianity considered ethics for all humans?

Answer 7

True Christians are those committed to non-violence.
But Christian or not we should all be committed to non-violence.

Question 8

How should the cycle of violence be replaced?

Answer 8

A cycle of love and forgiveness should be used in favour and encourage imitation through your own exemplary behaviour.