Sebastian Junger: Ethics of Pacifism

Sebastian Junger says that society needs to grapple with the question "when is the amoral choice not using force?"
This Carnegie Council event took place on June 1, 2011. For complete video, audio, and transcript, go to:
www.carnegiecou...

[@GebreMenfesKidus]

There is such a thing as nonviolent intervention, pacifistic direct action. Gandhi, Dr. King, and Jesus demonstrated its power and efficacy.

[@SmokeDog1871]

the problem is that those idealogies are the antithesis of what government is all about. Much better examples of using force judiciously and for good would be Lincoln and FDR

[@prestonross6942]

"Peace is idealistic, and history is violent"

[@hellerhuxleyhemingway5154]

Let's have a conversation on who made the bloodbath in Liberia possible in the first place by arming the Liberians.

[@malizee2264]

That's what the politicians are supposed to be doing, having that conversation, but they all have big egos...imho.

[@OoToXiKoO]

Pacifism if we were all the world would be a better place.

[@coles2688]

Compa Oso If we were pacifist, the world would be destroyed very quickly.

[@clarkbowler157]

​@@coles2688Read again and see the conteasiction in what you're saying.

[@RomeAndMarty4Ever]

He Has A Great Perspective!

[@lifechoices6643]

I follow a simple spirituality called Nichiren Buddhism which claims to give the ability to conquer war.I am in the process of discovering how far this becomes true in me.

[@omegatheta9381]

PEACET

[@yinzjagoffs]

Google, KZbin, Research and support the 'Non-aggression Principe'.

[@DavidIstre]

Nothing said in this clip engages in any meaningful way with the arguments of pacifism. He bases it entirely on his personal experience and the political rhetoric of a far left newspaper. Nothing here worth listening to.

[@WorldPie]

0:45 Self defense is necessary, rejection of an occupier is necessary, refusing to be dominated and subjugated at gunpoint is necessary. So you fight and you do things you would never imagine you would, to defend and protect your children, your wife, your property, you land, your country. War isn't that. War is as Clausewitz puts it " politics differently" . The difference between politics and policy is the difference between war and peace. Sorry but war is not necessary, it 's the confession of a failure, failure to build and live in peace. As long as there are people, otherwise decent, good citizens, good sons and fathers ( but this is not the issue here) who think of the necessity of war as the least of evils we, mankind, unfortunately will have what we call for. War is an aberration. Period. It is way, waaaay more difficult to decide for the necessity of peace than that of war. And more courageous too. Even if it will take centuries to get there. Or not.Peace

[@richardlynch1094]

We use force when furor Trump says we do. Said an Angry Pacifist.

[@thenamelessone3]

Pacifism is need in this world. If every country is a pacifist, do we need an army? No, we do not. Having an army is a hollow self assurance! Militaries claim to protect us, but those militaries also start wars. As Einstein quoted: "One cannot simultaneously start and prevent war"

[@Chris_Regan]

thenamelessone3 While I agree with you and wish that was possible, it isn't. As long as human beings are on this planet, there will always be someone wanting more power, conflict, and so on. So even if we convinced every country in the entire world to demilitarize, eventually (probably sooner than later) someone who come along and build an Army to take advantage of that situation. Again the idea sounds good in theory, but history shows us that would never work.

[@therant3837]

@@vodkacannon It's called SIN.

[@TranscendianIntendor]

I have suggested that those Democrats who want to enter the Border Patrol for profit prisons or any prison on US territory wear officer pistols when requesting to be admitted.