Description
Book SynopsisViolence and Nonviolence: an Introduction critiques five dominant societal views about violence and nonviolence. Using evidence from scientific studies as well as anecdotal evidence and news reports, esteemed scholar and editor Barry L. Gan shows readers that these widely adopted and violent views are largely mistaken, and require a fundamental rethinking and adjustment. By synthesizing new research with old philosophies, Gan introduces readers to an alternative paradigm of nonviolence through which we can begin to build a more peaceful world. Nonviolent strategic action a kind of selective nonviolence is the first of the two alternative paradigms that provides a concrete approach to addressing social and political problems arising from violence. Nonviolence as a way of life is the second of the paradigms that expands upon (and in some respects critiques) the first, preferring a comprehensive and radical response to the scourges of violence that have plagued human history.
Trade ReviewWith clarity and insight, Barry Gan has provided an engaging, illuminating, and original perspective on the problems of violence and nonviolence. A valuable contribution to understanding these issues, readily accessible to a general audience. -- Robert L. Holmes, University of Rochester
This is the book that teachers of nonviolence have been waiting for! Barry Gan exposes five cultural myths with regard to violence, and demonstrates clearly the importance of intention, not merely action, with regard to violence. He argues his case with the precision of a careful philosopher and the pace of a good storyteller. Gan’s is an utterly honest account, and is never merely theoretical. Perhaps the most creative aspect of this book is his explication of the difference between selective nonviolence (nonviolence as a political strategy) and comprehensive nonviolence (nonviolence as a way of life). Barry Gan makes an eloquent case for comprehensive nonviolence. This will be an important book for use in classes looking at violence and nonviolence in philosophy, sociology, psychology, history, and in general education. -- Andrew Fitz-Gibbon, SUNY Cortland
In this introduction to violence and nonviolence, Gan (philosophy, Bonaventure U.) focuses on subjective and intersubjective violence and examines common myths about violence, noting logical inconsistencies as well as ways to overcome their rhetorical force. These include the idea that violence is exclusively a physical act, that there are good people and bad people (i.e. and good perpetrators of violence and bad ones), that some measured violence is always necessary to prevent greater violence, and that wrongdoers must be punished and forgo their some or all of their worth as humans in the process. The second part of the text is about thinking through nonviolence as a radical practice and comprehensive strategy in light of the 'fuller account of violence' Gans is offering. He is at odds with the idea that 'ends justify the means,' but agrees in the end with Plato that 'it is better to be injured than to injure.' * Book News, Inc. *
Table of ContentsPart I: Violence Chapter 1: Molded by Myths Chapter 2: The Myth of Physical Violence The Common View The Problem with the Common View But Where Is the Violence in These Examples? A Confusion? Conclusion Chapter 3: The Myth of Good Guys and Bad Guys The Myth at Work Deconstructing the Myth Overcoming the Myth Chapter 4: The Myth of Necessary Violence A More Charitable Interpretation The Difficulty with the Charitable Interpretation The Practical Relevance of Means to Ends Chapter 5: The Myth of Effective Punishment Revenge Retribution Punishment as Educative or Rehabilitative Deterrence Restitution and Recompense Conclusion Part II: Nonviolence Chapter 6: An Overview of Nonviolence Chapter 7: Selective Nonviolence Sharp’s Theory of Power Theories of Nonviolent Strategy Chapter 8: Toward a Theory of Comprehensive Nonviolence The Implications of a Fuller Account of Violence Self-Suffering and Cognitive Dissonance The Importance of Offering a Choice to One’s Adversaries An Example: Serbia Some Other Examples: Egypt and Syria Toward Comprehensive Nonviolence Chapter 9: Comprehensive Nonviolence How Comprehensive Nonviolence Addresses the Five Myths Self-Suffering Can Bring Redemption If It’s About Winning, It’s Not Nonviolence
