Unit-15

UNIT 15 GANDHI ON PACIFISM

Structure

  • 15.1 Introduction

  • Aims and Objectives

  • 15.2 Theoretical Aspects

    • 15.2.1 Pacifism Leads to One World

    • 15.2.2 Techniques of Eliminating War

    • 15.2.3 Satyagraha: Substitute for Military Action

    • 15.2.4 Moralistic Approach to World Affairs

  • 15.3 The Bhagavad Gita and Pacifism

    • 15.3.1 Forgive the Opponents

    • 15.3.2 Rejection of Materialism

  • 15.4 Gandhi as a Qualified Pacifist

    • 15.4.1 Gandhi as an Absolute Pacifist

    • 15.4.2 Gandhi’s Rigorous Pacifism

    • 15.4.3 Change in Gandhi’s Pacifism

    • 15.4.4 Nature of Pacifism

    • 15.4.5 Flexible Adjustment of Idealism to Nationalism

  • 15.5 Gandhi on Conflict Resolution

  • 15.6 Nonviolent Action for Defensive, Interstate Struggle

  • 15.7 Summary

  • 15.8 Terminal Questions

  • Suggested Readings

15.1 Introduction

  • Definition of Pacifism: Derived from Latin "pacific" (peace making). Encompasses the belief that:

    • Disputes should be peacefully resolved.

    • Opposes military institutions and war.

    • Rejects governmental force and physical violence to achieve social or political goals.

    • Advocates for resolution without violence, even for self-defense.

  • Spectrum of Pacifism: Varies between absolute rejection of violence and conditional acceptance in specific contexts.

  • Historical Context: Found in societies throughout recorded history, primarily influenced by religious teachings.

Aims and Objectives

  • Understand Gandhi’s concept of pacifism.

  • Explore Gandhi’s role as a qualified pacifist.

  • Examine Gandhi’s conflict resolution methods.

15.2 Theoretical Aspects

  • Influences: Leo Tolstoy advocated pacifism and influenced Gandhi.

  • Contrasting Views:

    • Sam Harris critiques pacifism as cowardice.

    • Kant argues for principles of perpetual peace.

    • Michael Doyle claims democracies are less likely to engage in war.

  • Pacifism vs. Just War Tradition: Pacifism rejects war as a means to achieve peace and emphasizes virtues like tolerance and mercy.

  • Nonviolent Action: Pioneered by figures like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

15.2.1 Pacifism Leads to One World

  • Gandhi's belief in interstate fellowship and goodwill.

  • Emphasizes dharmic law and settling disputes at local levels within a concept of 'one world'.

15.2.2 Techniques of Eliminating War

  • Advocated methods to eliminate war include:

    • Third party settlement

    • World government

    • Disarmament

    • International police force

15.2.3 Satyagraha: Substitute for Military Action

  • Satyagraha: A nonviolent method that has spiritual significance, applicable from personal to global conflicts.

15.2.4 Moralistic Approach to World Affairs

  • Gandhi aimed for India to exemplify pacifism globally, challenging traditional Hindu views that employed guile in external relations.

15.3 The Bhagavad Gita and Pacifism

  • Influences of the Bhagavad Gita on Gandhi’s philosophy:

    • Promotes unselfish action and detachment from material gains.

15.3.1 Forgive the Opponents

  • Gandhi identified imperialism and fascism as war triggers but emphasized forgiveness and reform as essential to peace.

15.3.2 Rejection of Materialism

  • Economic justice and non-materialism as key elements leading to a peaceful world.

15.4 Gandhi as a Qualified Pacifist

  • Dynamic Nonviolence: Gandhi’s belief in adjusting idealism to nationalism while promoting moral and ethical standards.

15.4.1 Gandhi as an Absolute Pacifist

  • Strong opposition to military conflict, believing peace cannot arise from war.

15.4.2 Gandhi’s Rigorous Pacifism

  • Rigorous during WWII; often indifferent to conflicts outside India, focusing exclusively on Indian independence.

15.4.3 Change in Gandhi’s Pacifism

  • Shifted views during WWII to allow India to aid allied powers for defense.

15.4.4 Nature of Pacifism

  • Identifies variations in pacifism: absolute, qualified, and patriotic realism.

15.4.5 Flexible Adjustment of Idealism to Nationalism

  • Gandhi’s strategies during WWI and WWII highlighted his adaptability in ideals according to political demands.

15.5 Gandhi on Conflict Resolution

  • Utilized passive resistance supplemented by respect towards adversaries for conflict resolution.

15.6 Nonviolent Action for Defensive, Interstate Struggle

  • Gandhi believed nonviolent direct action was vital for addressing military violence during interstate conflicts.

15.7 Summary

  • Gandhi’s vision for peace emphasizes spiritual unity and nonviolence as the solution to war.

15.8 Terminal Questions

  • Discuss the core concept of Pacifism.

  • Explore Satyagraha's role in Gandhian philosophy.

  • Examine the different types of Gandhian Pacifism.

  • Analyze the main aspects of Gandhian Pacifism.

  • Assess the effectiveness of an impartial world police force for global peace.

Suggested Readings

  • References for further exploration of Gandhi and pacifism include texts by Kumarappa, Dalai Lama, and others on non-violence and peace.