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Nonviolence: What and Why?

College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Tara Sethia, Director—Ahimsa Center, Professor—History

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Nonviolence: What and Why--Tara Sethia, 20011

On Terminology

Why the words, ahimsa or nonviolence, which

embody positive values and meaning are

expressed in negative terms?

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Awareness of Violence or Himsa

Calls our attention to questions such as

• What is violence, its scope and forms?

• What are the roots of violence?

• Who are affected by these? And in what

ways?

• Why is it necessary to overcome himsa or

violence?

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Defining Nonviolence: Questions

• Is it mere opposite of violence?

• Does it mean simply the absence of violence?

• Is there any difference between nonviolence

and non-violence?

• Is nonviolence a utopian idea? Does it have

any practical value?

• What is meant by principled nonviolence and

pragmatic nonviolence?

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Nonviolence: What it Is NOT and What it IS

Nonviolence is not just an opposite of violence.

It differs from violence in having

• Different premises

• Different aims

• Different modalities of action

• Different sources of power

• Different outcomes

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Division vs Unity

Violence is premised in separation, in divisions

• Division within oneself

• Between self and others

• Between humans and nature

In contrast..

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Division vs Unity

Nonviolence is rooted in unity, in oneness, in the

integrity of the whole.

• Within individual, mind-body harmony, integrity

of thought and action.

• Indivisibility of all existence– oneness of not

only humanity, but oneness of humans and

nature.

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In the words of Gandhi ---

Nonviolence is not a garment to be put on and

off at will. It is in the heart and it must be an

inseparable part of our being.

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Hurt and Defeat vs. Heal and Unite

• Violence aims to defeat and exploit. It aims at

causing harm and hurt.

• Nonviolence aims to change minds, unite

hearts. It does so by cultivating compassion

and care, curing harmed interests and healing

wounded sentiments.

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In the words of MLK Jr.

Nonviolence means avoiding not only external

physical violence but also internal violence of

spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but

you refuse to hate him.

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Unconscious Action vs Mindfulness

• Violent acts often committed unconsciously, with a sense of suspended judgment.

• Nonviolence involves conscious and mindful choices.

• Violence is often inflicted.

• Nonviolence cannot be inflicted – one does not even “catch” the subject unguarded.

• Nonviolent action operates by increasing awareness.

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Institutional vs Individual Responsibility

• Collective violence, institutionalized violent action, inequitable social arrangement such as slavery and serfdom – the locus of decision making is system or structure.

• Nonviolence assigns primacy to individual responsibility.

Gandhi was highly skeptical about the idea of inventing “a system so perfect that nobody had to be good.”

• Individual transformation a precondition for social transformation .

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Coercion vs Cooperation and Collaboration

Violence is rooted in coercion and control

• Coercion and control obstructs communication

• It gives a false sense of power from controlling

someone, disempowering someone and

having a unilateral voice.

• It is a negative approach to conflict resolution

as conflicts often become worse through

coercion which thrives on self interest.

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Coercion vs Cooperation and Collaboration

Nonviolence encourages cooperation and

collaboration.

• It leads to negotiations.

• It leads to exploration of finding a common

ground which is acceptable to parties in

conflict.

• It is positive approach to conflict resolution as

it thrives on transforming the roots of conflict.

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Nonviolence:Human Development & Happiness

• Violence affects humanity in negative ways.

• Nonviolence elevates humanity at a higher

level in positive ways.

• Violence deprives humans of lasting

happiness.

• Nonviolence –as love, compassion, courage,

forgiveness, gratitude–leads to lasting

happiness.

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In the words of Cesar Chavez …

Most people don’t understand the power of non-

violence and tend to be amazed by the whole

idea. Those who have been involved in

bringing about change and see the difference

between violence and nonviolence are firmly

committed to a lifetime of non-

violence…because it is an effective and very

powerful way.

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Power of Violence vs Nonviolence

Those who have the greater strength should show

restraint and tolerance toward those who have less

strength.

--Aung San Suu Kyi

I am going to give you such a weapon that the police

and the army will not be able to stand against it. That

weapon is patience and righteousness. No power on

earth can stand against it …

--Badshah Khan

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