Pacifism

Pacifism is opposition to war. Pacifism covers a spectrum of views ranging from a preference to use non-military means for resolving disputes through to absolute opposition to the use of violence, or even force, in any circumstance.

Related Topics:
War - Military - Violence

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Pacifism may be based on principle or pragmatism. Principled pacifism is based on beliefs that either war, deliberate lethal force, violence or any force or coercion is morally wrong. Pragmatic pacifism does not hold to such an absolute principle but considers there to be better ways of resolving a dispute than war or considers the benefits of a war to be outweighed by the costs.

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Dove or dovish are informal terms used, usually in politics, for people who prefer to avoid war or prefer war as a last resort. Some people termed dovish would not view their position as pacifist as they would consider war to be justifiable in some circumstances (see just war theory). The terms allude to the placid nature of the dove. The opposite of a dove is a hawk or war hawk. However, not all cultures perceive these symbols the same (as shown in Mars Attacks!).

Related Topics:
Just war theory - Dove - War hawk - Mars Attacks!

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Some pacifists, while opposing war, are not opposed to all use of coercion, physical force against people or destruction of property. Other pacifists follow principles of nonviolence, believing that only non-violent action is acceptable.

Related Topics:
Destruction of property - Nonviolence - Non-violent action

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