Pacifism
Opposition to war or violence, coined in 1901.
Pacifism is the belief that war and violence are wrong. The term itself was created by French activist Émile Arnaud and officially adopted at the tenth Universal Peace Congress in Glasgow in 1901. A key related idea is *ahimsa*, meaning "to do no harm," which is central to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Although the modern understanding of pacifism took shape in the 19th century, ancient examples of such thinking exist.
In more recent times, Leo Tolstoy revived interest in pacifism through his later writings, especially *The Kingdom of God Is Within You*. Mahatma Gandhi developed a practice of steadfast nonviolent resistance called *satyagraha*, which played a crucial role in India's independence movement. This approach later inspired Martin Luther King Jr., James Lawson, James Bevel, Thích Nhất Hạnh, and others involved in the civil rights movement.
Pacifism covers a wide range of views. Some believe international disputes can and should be resolved peacefully. Others call for abolishing the military and war itself (institutional pacifism), or reject any government organized through force (anarchist or libertarian pacifism). Still others oppose using physical violence to achieve political, economic, or social goals, or reject violence entirely, even in self-defense. Historians Peter Brock and Thomas Paul Socknat define pacifism as an unconditional rejection of all warfare. Philosopher Jenny Teichman describes the main form as "anti-warism," the rejection of all war. As Brian Orend summarizes her view, a pacifist believes war is always wrong and that no moral grounds can justify it. At its core, this philosophy holds that the ends do not justify the means. The related word *pacific* means conciliatory.
Pacifism can be based on moral principles (a deontological view) or on pragmatism (a consequentialist view). Principled pacifism argues that at some point, violence becomes morally wrong. Pragmatic pacifism contends that the costs of war and violence are so high that better ways to resolve disputes must be found.
Some pacifists follow nonviolence, believing it is morally superior or more effective. Others, however, support physical violence for emergency self-defense or the defense of others. Some even endorse destroying property in such emergencies or as symbolic resistance, such as pouring red paint on military recruiting offices or hammering on milita
- coined_by
- Émile Arnaud
- year_coined
- 1901
- related_philosophy
- ahimsa (to do no harm)
- core_in
- Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism
- modern_revival_by
- Leo Tolstoy
- key_proponent
- Mahatma Gandhi
- inspired
- Martin Luther King Jr., James Lawson, James Bevel, Thích Nhất Hạnh
Lore & Background
Pacifism covers a spectrum of views, including the belief that international disputes can and should be peacefully resolved, calls for the abolition of the institutions of the military and war (institutional pacifism), opposition to any organization of society through governmental force (anarchist or libertarian pacifism), rejection of the use of physical violence to obtain political, economic or social goals, the obliteration of force, and opposition to violence under any circumstance, even defence of self and others. Historians of pacifism Peter Brock and Thomas Paul Socknat define pacifism 'in the sense generally accepted in English-speaking areas' as 'an unconditional rejection of all forms of warfare'. Philosopher Jenny Teichman defines the main form of pacifism as 'anti-warism', the rejection of all forms of warfare. Teichman's beliefs have been summarized by Brian Orend as 'A pacifist rejects war and believes there are no moral grounds which can justify resorting to war. War, for the pacifist, is always wrong.' In a sense the philosophy is based on the idea that the ends do not justify the means.
Reader's Guide
Pacifism may be based on moral principles (a deontological view) or pragmatism (a consequentialist view). Principled pacifism holds that at some point along the spectrum from war to interpersonal physical violence, such violence becomes morally wrong. Pragmatic pacifism holds that the costs of war and interpersonal violence are so substantial that better ways of resolving disputes must be found. Some pacifists follow principles of nonviolence, believing that nonviolent action is morally superior and/or most effective. Some however, support physical violence for emergency defence of self or others. Others support destruction of property in such emergencies or for conducting symbolic acts of resistance like pouring red paint to represent blood on the outside of military recruiting offices or entering air force bases and hammering on military aircraft. Not all nonviolent resistance (sometimes also called civil resistance) is based on a fundamental rejection of all violence in all circumstances. Many leaders and participants in such movements, while recognizing the importance of using non-violent methods in particular circumstances, have not been absolute pacifists. Sometimes, as with the civil rights movement's march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, they have called for armed protection.
Did You Know?
- The word pacifism was coined by French peace campaigner Émile Arnaud at the tenth Universal Peace Congress in Glasgow in 1901.
- A related term is ahimsa (to do no harm), a core philosophy in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
- Mahatma Gandhi propounded the practice of steadfast nonviolent opposition called 'satyagraha', instrumental in the Indian independence movement.
- The Moriori of the Chatham Islands practiced pacifism by order of their ancestor Nunuku-whenua, leading to their almost complete annihilation in 1835 by invading Māori.
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