Ascending the Nonviolence Continuum

Abstract

In this author-meets-critics discussion, Sanjay Lal presents the main ideas of his book Violence, Nonviolence, and Moral Worth, arguing that nonviolence meets violence along a continuum where there are degrees of greater and lesser examples, including a wide range of examples that combine both tendencies. Lal defines nonviolence in terms of three components that emphasize attitudes over actions: (1) a willingness to not harm others, (2) wanting to facilitate the well-being of others, (3) and not sacrificing one’s own moral worth. Three critics share their praises and concerns: Predrag Cicovacki challenges Lal to be more specific on the definition of moral worth, on the relationship between violence and nonviolence, and on the account that he gives for value theory and value conflict. Jennifer Kling asks if beliefs can serve as pre-existing grounds for action, if reconceptualizations of pop culture are bound to any limits, and if there are good reasons for assuming that all people are approachable. Danielle Poe asks what it means to reconceptualize popular culture as an approachable resource of nonviolent insight. Answering these questions, Lal reflects on what it means to be inspired by Gandhi’s example.