Religion, Pacifism, and Nonviolence

This book is about religion, pacifism, and the nonviolence that informs pacifism in its most coherent form. Pacifism is one religious approach to war and violence. Another is embodied in just war theories, and both pacifism and just war thinking are critically examined. Although moral support for pacifism is presented, a main focus of the book is on religious support for pacifism, found in various religious traditions. A crucial distinction for pacifism is that between force and violence. Pacifism informed by nonviolence excludes violence, but, the book argues, allows forms of force. Peacekeeping is an activity that on the face of it seems compatible with pacifism, and several different forms of peacekeeping are examined. The implications of nonviolence for the treatment of nonhuman animals are also examined. Two models for attaining the conditions required for a world without war have been proposed. Both are treated and one, the model of a biological human family, is developed. The book concludes with reflections on the role of pacifism in each of five possible futurescapes.

Presents and answers a number of the criticisms directed against pacifism, many by contemporary philosophers Offers moral and religious support for pacifism, citing the support to be found in utilitarianism, deontological ethical theory, and virtue ethics Examines international peacekeeping in its different forms and identifies forms compatible with pacifism

Auteur

James Kellenberger is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at California State University, Northridge, USA. Among his books are Religious Epiphanies Across Traditions and Cultures (Palgrave Macmillan, 2017) and The Everlasting and the Eternal (Palgrave Macmillan, 2015).

Contenu
1 Introduction.- 2 Ways of Approaching War that are Sanctioned Within Religious Traditions.- 3. Fighting Militarily in the Name of One's State and Fighting Militarily in the Name of One's Religion.- 4. The Just War Approach.- 5. The Status of the Just War Theory.- 6. The Principle of Double Effect.- 7. The Approach of Pacifism.- 8. Arguments Against Pacifism and Moral Support for Pacifism.- 9. The Costs of War.- 10. Religious Support for Pacifism.- 11. The Status of Pacifism.- 12. Violence and Force.- 13. Peacekeeping.- 14. Families.- 15. Nonviolence Toward Nonhuman Animals.- 16. The Future of Pacifism.- Bibliography.- Index.