1. Philosophy of Peace and Nonviolent Action
What is Nonviolence?

2. What is Violence? What makes an event “violent”?
How is violence manifested?
Physical Violence
Psychological Violence
Structural Violence
Violence towards Property
Covert Violence or Indirect Violence
When, if ever, is violence justified?

3. Negative Definition of Nonviolence:
The renunciation of violence
Qualified and Unqualified nonviolence
Physical and Psychological violence
Direct and Indirect Violence

4. Qualified Nonviolence
Renunciation of some (not necessarily all) forms of violence
One may, e.g., renounce
the use of physical force to cause harm to the bodies of oneself or others
psychological violence
structural violence
only violence within one’s species
property violence
Defining The Moral Community:
Question: how ought we to demarcate the moral community? i.e. Whose interests should be considered in our commitments to non-violence? (e.g. sentience, species, nationality, ethic group, religious identity, etc.)

5. Positive Definition of Nonviolence
Nonviolence as a political/social activity
Passive Resistance: Refusal to comply with (or acquiesce to) the directives of an unjust demand or system.
To be distinguished from passivity (e.g. Rosa Montgomery)
Direct Action: Taking initiative, setting out to challenge an unjust state of affairs (e.g. SNCC, Freedom Riders, Diane Nash, Joseph McNeill)

6. Physical Violence
The use of force to inflict unjustified bodily harm to oneself or others. This is the most broadly recognized form of violence. Murder, rape, and other forms of physical injury are included in this category of violence.
What constitutes “harm?”
Interests
Benevolent harm (e.g. dentistry)
Possibly well intentioned, but ineffective harm (e.g. corporal discipline)
Must an act be “intentional” to constitute violence?
Can one commit an act of physical violence on themselves?

7. Psychological Violence
Causing severe psychological harm
such as in the verbal or emotional abuse of children.
Dehumanizing treatment (e.g. solitary confinement)
psychological violence of a severe form can have effects that are longer lasting and more debilitating than even very severe physical harm.
Question: Can we reduce violence by changing the way we communicate?
Mindful Listening
Recognizing the needs behind language
Question: How do we distinguish harm from mere offense?

8. Violence Toward Property?
Some consider private property to be an extension of the self (e.g. Locke).
a matter of degree
where property is essential to the fundamental well-being of the interested party (e.g. their shelter, source of food, employment, etc.) hold greater significance.
Where property is essential to the identity of the individual or community (e.g. places or objects of religious importance)
When is the violation of property interests justified (e.g. Sit-ins, boycotts, walkouts, whistleblowing, etc.)
Are some sources of property illegitimate (e.g. when profit depends on injustice)?

9. Covert Violence
When acts that are overtly non-violent, but where the effects of such events cause demonstrable harm
Economic sanctions, boycotts, strikes and other forms of direct action often entail harmful effects (anticipated or otherwise) on individuals (intended or otherwise).
Failure to act with violence often entails negative and harmful consequences for others
When is a “good Samaritan” principle warranted? (e.g. Kitty Genovese, Bystander Effect, Richmond)

10. Nonviolence Continued
Instrumental Nonviolence
The use of nonviolent means as a matter of prudent calculation
Question: Does nonviolence work?
Question: Is nonviolence natural?
Principled Nonviolence
Deontological nonviolence: The view that nonviolence is an imperative independent of other desired ends (e.g. inalienable human rights)

11. Some assertions to consider:
In cases of mutual violence, when one side succeeds, the other side fails. That is, Violence is a “zero sum” game.
If a nonviolent method is as successful as a violent method, there is no reason to use violence.
Principled nonviolence always “works.”

12. Means and Ends The interrelation of means and ends
In what sense do the means employed effect the ends achieved?
Consequentialism vs. Deontology?
Return to issue of: Instrumental nonviolence vs. principled nonviolence
Are we capable of accurately perceiving consequences so as to make the focus on ends problematic?
Does nonviolence require “faith” that “the universe is on the side of justice”?