Week 7- Assigned Reading-Peace, Non-violence And Conflict Resolution

"Nonviolence is the law of our species as violence is the law of the brute. The spirit lies dormant in the brute and he knows no law but that of physical might. The dignity of man requires obedience to a higher law-to the strength of the spirit...." these words are spoken by Gandhi. What philosophy that I like about Gandhi is that he is so ruthless when it comes to non-violence. Especially when he is trying to prove a point. Basically what Gandhi believes or goes off of is
that he believes and preaches that human nature is great or better than brute force. That as a human being we have self respect and honor not to become confrontational with other human beings. Unlike most other philosophy teachers don't believe or have a different view of religion, Gandhi believes that everything happens through the greater power and without him these non-violent acts would not be as possible. He believes that it is the Grace of God to save our people.

Nonviolence is common to all religions, but it has found the highest expression and application in Hinduism. All religions don't preach for violence but Hinduism under no circumstance are the permitted or able to fight back with violence because then they are looked at as weak or not as strong as there opponent. What Gandhi then says that just because you do not fight back that does not make you a coward, because it is in all religions.

When Gandhi does into talking about nonviolence, he talks about being a coward. He says a coward is not a person that does not fight back, but a person that runs away from violence. So basically what he is saying is that you have to have a strong will and be able to take a hit or two to prove a point that that they can not hurt you no matter what you do and that you are not scared. He believes that is more powerful than being able to fight back with force.