Can We Really Be Nonviolent?

March 20, 2020

I have always wondered if we can be nonviolent in true sense. Is it possible? If so, then how? Taking on the philosophy of nonviolence is a difficult task because the philosophy of violence on the other hand is strong and logical. Here I don’t refer to violence as physical violence only; violence can also be an argument, denial, disagreement etc.

When I deny what is due to one in my life then it is considered as unjust and therefore violent. I kept someone deprived of what s/he may deserve. We human beings are guided by some notion of the natural laws. Everyone and everything has a place of its own in the world or say universe.

For instance, if I move a book from one place to another, I have essentially become violent with it because the book was in its place where it was suppose to be. The pages of the books came from a tree in some forest which too was moved from its space, the gum from which the book was made was also exploited from somewhere in the nature.

When I walk I always avoid stepping on ants and other insects so as to avoid doing violence but am I really being nonviolent? I am crushing endless world of organisms under my foot while I walk. If I move from one place to another it is violence since I have changed my place and may be the space where I was supposed to be.

It is therefore, I argue that living a completely nonviolent life is impossible. The human nature and behavior cannot avert the liking for violence.

Author:
Dr. Udayprakash Sharma, Assistant Professor, Unitedworld School of Liberal Arts and Mass Communication (USLM)

Disclaimer: The opinions / views expressed in this article are solely of the author in his / her individual capacity. They do not purport to reflect the opinions and/or views of the College and/or University or its members.