Pacifism
Pacifism
There are several different sorts of pacifism, but they all include the idea that war and violence are unjustifiable, and that conflicts should be settled in a peaceful way.
The word (but not the idea) is only a century old, being first used in 1902 at the 10th International Peace Conference.
People are pacifists for one or some of these reasons:
- religious faith
- non-religious belief in the sanctity of life
- practical belief that war is wasteful and ineffective
Many believe that pacifism is more than opposition to war. They argue that it must include action to promote justice and human rights. (Consider for example whether the preservation of peace throughout the British Empire justified the human rights violations of that colonial regime.)
Levels of pacifism
It's important to see the difference between the morality of pacifism as it applies to an individual, and the application of that morality to the behaviour of a nation-state.
Not appreciating this difference can lead to real difficulties in discussing pacifism and non-violence.
Consistency
Pacifists are often thought of as totally opposed to killing, but they don't have to be. A pacifist can logically support euthanasia and abortion, although they would need to have thought their position through very carefully.