Essay - Philosophy of Nonviolence it is Tragic that Even in These...

Philosophy of Nonviolence

It is tragic that even in these advanced times, violence is still so prevalent in our society. While the most prominent recent example ***** this is the 9/11 attacks, violence is a worldwide phenomenon, particularly in the political arena, and particularly where certain sectors of ***** find *****mselves oppressed. Sadly, *****s are almost too numerous to choose from. Indeed, it appears that in most cases ***** oppression, violence ***** seen as the means of solv*****g the problem. In turn, the ***** with violence is however that it escalates, resulting in a large amount of lost lives and tragedy that often overshadows the initial purpose of the fight. In solution to *****, Martin Luther King suggests his philosophy of non*****, based upon his study of Gandhi's philosophical work. *****, *****violence creates a much more powerful form of resist*****nce than violence, because it focuses on friendship rather than enm*****y. The former accomplishes goals much more effectively than the latter.

What is particularly interesting about King's philosophy ***** the suggestion that non***** is not a passive act of surrender, but rather an active force towards reconciliation rather th***** escalating violence. Indeed, *****e 9/11 attacks have proven ***** point: ***** in response to violence leads only ***** further violence, and little is resolved as a result.

Furthermore, ***** cultivates resistance. The reason for this is that violence ***** born from resistance ***** the first place. As such, violence and ***** go hand-in-hand in *****ir cumulative effect. Interestingly, *****violence has the same ***** effect, ***** in a much more positive way. This ***** paradigm is what K*****g promoted in his philosophy ***** nonviolence. When violence is used as a ***** of resisting political oppression, terrorism, or other unacceptable phenomena, the escalation could lead to widescale atrocities ***** as riots ***** further terrorism. This is highly undesirable, particularly from the point of view of those aiming ***** political or social change such as Martin ***** King. Indeed, violent ********** tend to remove the focus from ***** atrocity of ***** and ***** it ***** the less desirable qualities of those causing the violence. Th***** tends to create a neg*****tive ***** of the ***** and increases ***** resistance ***** their cause.

If I were to personally create a philosophy of nonviolence, I would also, like King, focus on the positive *****s of such a form of resistance. The basis for my philosophy would be the qualities that make us human. Most importantly, we are human ***** as ***** we are able to reason and think rationally. Beca*****e we are more than barbarians, we ***** to handle our conflict situations by thinking of ways ***** reach the optimal outcome for all parties. If ***** let ***** emotions override our reason, chaos results. In matters of conflict, which can be highly emotional, it is therefore of utter importance to use our rational*****y. This is ***** distinguishes us ***** the animal world. We do ***** need to fight and kill to ***** our ***** and obtain our desires.