Fluther: When is violence the answer?

When is violence the answer?

Asked by Demosthenes (14935

) March 16th, 2019
20 responses
“Great Question” (3

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Lots of talk about violence and how wrong it is in the wake of the attack in New Zealand. I thought I would ask the most broad possible question about violence. There are two questions here that I’m interested in hearing your answer to:

1. When is violence an appropriate response? I am referring to personal violence against an individual, war against a nation, a coup against a leader, etc. Any kind of violence.
1b. Is violence only acceptable when it’s defensive, in response to violence? If not, when is offensive violence appropriate?
2. Have you ever personally been violent for what you felt was a justified reason?

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Topics: sociology, human behavior, fighting, humanity, society, violence

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Answers

I really can’t think of any situation except in defense of your self or someone else.

Dutchess_lll (8745

)“Great Answer” (4

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When you are faced with the same violence, or threat. Like if someone pulls a gun on me.

kritiper (25757

)“Great Answer” (0

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Can you define violence?

Suppose I put poison in your teacup. You drink it, and you die.

Was that a violent action? Sure, it’s illegal and not very nice of me, but is a violent act?

What I am getting at as this. Suppose you come at me with a knife. I could pull out my gun and shoot you. That would be a violent response.

But suppose I ran away, and then that night set your house on fire or poisoned your tea. Or cut the brake lines in your car.

All of those would be vengeful. But would they be acts of violence?

elbanditoroso (33160

)“Great Answer” (0

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Self defense when other options are exhausted or not available.

josie (30934

)“Great Answer” (2

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When the opposing player is carrying the ball and the whistle hasn’t blown. ;-)

Brian1946 (32276

)“Great Answer” (1

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To combat oppression. The American Revolution and other anti-colonial uprisings are justified.

LostInParadise (31916

)“Great Answer” (4

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When you, as the victor, are in a position to write history after the fact.
When you can control the narrative to make the rest of the world believe that you were justified.
When you can get away with it.
Was it actually justified? Who cares.
Technically, the treasonous colonial rebellion against the crown over having to pay taxes was not justified in the least. But since they ended up winning (with essential help from France), they got to write history.

ragingloli (51969

)“Great Answer” (3

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Technically? Would that be according to British law? A minority imposing its will on the majority in support of the outdated theory of mercantilism is out and out wrong and rebellion was the right course of action.

LostInParadise (31916

)“Great Answer” (0

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They were all traitors who should have been hanged.
HANGED.

ragingloli (51969

)“Great Answer” (1

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Violence should be a nuclear option. A last resort. Like @josie said…

MrGrimm888 (19010

)“Great Answer” (0

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@ragingloli Just curious. How do you feel about the colonial powers in Africa and India? Should they not have been overthrown? (I’m not really looking to defend the Revolution, just poking a bit with a stick. :-))

janbb (62877

)“Great Answer” (0

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Those were the indigenous peoples liberating themselves from European conquerors and oppressors.
If the native americans had overthrown and subjugated the european settlers and their descendants, I would have no objections.

ragingloli (51969

)“Great Answer” (1

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@ragingloli I suspected as much and don’t necessarily disagree.

janbb (62877

)“Great Answer” (0

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@janbb , Are you also saying that the American Revolution was unjustified?

LostInParadise (31916

)“Great Answer” (0

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@LostInParadise Not really. I have no great need to justify or unjustify the Revolution at this point.