Nonviolence in Theory and Practice

Rating:
Summary: An incredibly good introduction
Review: Robert Holmes has put together a wonderful collection of essays on the topic of nonviolence. Topics range from religious and philosophical foundations, to the nonviolent philosophies of Gandhi, Tolstoy, and King, Jr., to women and violence, pacifism, and case studies. The whole is prefaced by a very good Introduction in which Holmes analyzes the different meanings of "nonviolence," and is ended with a decent bibliography of relevant works on nonviolence.

For the beginner, Holmes' anthology admirably makes three essential points about nonviolence: first, pacifism is one form of nonviolence, but is not identical to nonviolence; second, nonviolence isn't merely abstinence from physical violence; third, violence is not the same as force. Nonviolent resistance, for example, is clearly an exercise of force. Keeping points such as these in mind constitutes a good counterweight to the conventional assumption that proponents of nonviolence are quietistic, passive types who suffer any and all injustice.

If I have any reservations about this excellent collection, it's that Holmes doesn't do justice to the religious foundations of nonviolence, particularly when it comes to Christianity and Buddhism. Moreover, his inclusion of parts of Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" is rather perplexing. Thoreau (as Holmes admits) was not an advocate of nonviolence.

Still, no book can do everything, and this one does much. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: An incredibly good introduction
Review: Robert Holmes has put together a wonderful collection of essays on the topic of nonviolence. Topics range from religious and philosophical foundations, to the nonviolent philosophies of Gandhi, Tolstoy, and King, Jr., to women and violence, pacifism, and case studies. The whole is prefaced by a very good Introduction in which Holmes analyzes the different meanings of "nonviolence," and is ended with a decent bibliography of relevant works on nonviolence.

For the beginner, Holmes' anthology admirably makes three essential points about nonviolence: first, pacifism is one form of nonviolence, but is not identical to nonviolence; second, nonviolence isn't merely abstinence from physical violence; third, violence is not the same as force. Nonviolent resistance, for example, is clearly an exercise of force. Keeping points such as these in mind constitutes a good counterweight to the conventional assumption that proponents of nonviolence are quietistic, passive types who suffer any and all injustice.

If I have any reservations about this excellent collection, it's that Holmes doesn't do justice to the religious foundations of nonviolence, particularly when it comes to Christianity and Buddhism. Moreover, his inclusion of parts of Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" is rather perplexing. Thoreau (as Holmes admits) was not an advocate of nonviolence.

Still, no book can do everything, and this one does much. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: great intro to political/military philosophy
Review: This is a wonderful textbook for any course in the history or philosophy of nonviolence. Not only is it a complete overview of the history or nonviolence, but it includes some very unexpected contributors, in addition to the obvious. one of the most remarkable theories presented is an essay by A.A. Milne, more popularly known for his winnie the pooh books than for serious philosophical theorizing. and his proposed solution to war is so gloriously simple! He makes brilliant metaphors concerning war as a poison or a medicine, and a brilliant domestic analogy, but really, read the whole thing for yourself.