Greetings, friends!
There are always people who support war and justify any cruelty on patriotic, ideological or religious grounds. But there are also those who oppose wars , arguing that there are no reasons in the world that could justify aggression and massacres. These people are called pacifists, and today we will talk about who they are and what views they hold, and also list some of the most famous pacifists.
Who is a pacifist?
A pacifist is a person who openly declares the inadmissibility of resolving political conflicts by military methods. He denies any aggression and does not believe that it can be justified by economic, ideological, patriotic, religious or any other arguments.
The ideology that pacifists adhere to is called “pacifism.” This term comes from the Latin word pacificus (peacemaker), which in turn is formed from two words: pax (peace) and facio (do) . This term was introduced into modern political language by Emile Arnault, a French writer and public figure of the early 20th century.
The basic idea of pacifism is that murder cannot be justified by any reason or purpose. Thus, there cannot be “liberation” or “holy” wars, since any war is unlawful. Any military aggression, from the point of view of a pacifist, is an evil unacceptable in the modern civilized world. All conflicts, regardless of their causes and nature, must be resolved exclusively through constructive negotiations.
Where do “legs grow” from?
A pacifist is a representative of an ideology that does not accept war, murder, or inflicting any bodily harm on members of an opposing group.
It doesn’t matter what caused the military conflict and what goals the warring parties pursue, it should be extinguished, regardless of whether it is a battle at the global level or a local “war” between teenagers, as they said in the 90s, “in the area.”
The literal meaning of the word, if translated from Latin, is “to make peace.” In the language of the ancient Latins and Romans, the term is written “pacificus”.
Surely, humanity knew pacifists back in the days when some primitive individuals in robes made of bear skins oppressed others, trying to drive them away from more profitable and convenient territories for life and to win for themselves the best representatives of the fair sex.
Most likely, even then the world was divided into those who wanted and knew how to attack, those who fearlessly fought back, and those who meekly accepted their unenviable fate, not wanting to shed anyone’s blood.
At that period of history when Christianity was born, one can safely refer to historical sources that recorded the actions of real pacifists. These were the first Christians who were deeply disgusted by the debauchery and licentiousness of the Roman army. They simply refused to fight.
Of course, such “apostates” faced retribution—execution. It should be noted that the reason for refusing to participate in battles was not always a rejection of killing as such. Perhaps, if these knights of pacifism had fought for other ideals, they would have remained in the ranks of the attackers. But you can't turn back history.
So, we now know that the concept of “pacifism” came to us from the distant past. A pacifist is a person who denies the need for war and murder, who is alien to any aggression or violence used in any situation.
Signs of a pacifist
Surely you have seen T-shirts, jackets, backpacks and other wardrobe items and accessories on which a large sign ☮ (pacific) is depicted - the international emblem of pacifism . But its presence does not mean that a person is a pacifist. Conversely, a person can adhere to pacifist views, but not buy things with this sign, since clothing style is a matter of taste.
Characteristic signs of a pacifist are such behavioral features as:
- Peacefulness in everyday life. He does not believe that people need to be punished for mistakes and bad deeds, and does not strive for the “triumph of justice.” For him, any violence is unacceptable, and even if a person is “guilty,” from the point of view of a pacifist, he still deserves to be treated normally.
- Condemnation of countries' participation in other people's conflicts. For a pacifist, the intervention of his state or other states in international conflicts is unacceptable.
- Refusal to serve in the army. A pacifist is a person who considers unacceptable not only war, but also any militarization of the population, including military service and pre-conscription military training in school.
Individuals who hold pacifist views most often have a melancholic or phlegmatic temperament. Cholerics usually believe that aggression may well be justified. Sanguine people prefer to think about things that are relevant to them, and not worry about what they cannot influence.
Forms of pacifism
To more accurately understand who a pacifist is, it is important to consider that the views of supporters of a given ideology may differ significantly. Some of them deny the possibility of any violence at all, while others believe that it is permissible, but only under certain conditions. Researchers identify three main forms of pacifism:
1. Absolute pacifism
Supporters of absolute pacifism deny any forms of aggression and violence against people. They believe that there are no circumstances that could justify the murder. Among other things, they consider it unacceptable to kill even in self-defense.
2. Conditional pacifism
Supporters of this form of pacifism deny war and violence, but at the same time recognize that there may be circumstances in which there is no choice. They allow a response to aggression or military intervention in the affairs of another state if this will reduce the number of victims rather than increase it.
Pacifists who adhere to this ideology recognize the possibility of a war of liberation or military intervention to prevent genocide. In other words, conditional pacifism is pacifism that allows aggression in the presence of emergency conditions.
3. Selective pacifism
This form of pacifism is aimed at combating certain types of weapons and methods of warfare. For example, the nuclear disarmament movement promotes the idea of abandoning nuclear weapons and completely eliminating the existing nuclear arsenal.
There is also a movement to ban weapons of mass destruction such as cluster bombs, napalm, chemical weapons and nuclear weapons (all of which are currently prohibited by UN conventions). Such movements focus on specific weapons and methods of warfare, but accept that conventional warfare is possible under certain circumstances.
Hippies as bright representatives of pacifism
In order to better understand who a pacifist is, you can look at representatives of the hippie subculture (not to be confused with hipsters). They dressed in loose colored clothes, wore beads and baubles, and wove threads into their hair.
But their main feature is the worldview that they conveyed to the masses. They believed that the main thing was :
- freedom (what is it?);
- development of spirituality;
- everyone to live in the community;
- engage in the development of internal and external beauty.
Since the hippies were for love (what is that?) and the freedom of all people as the highest value, they wore a pendant with the “pacific” sign or embroidered it on their bag or clothes.
“Make love, not war” is one of the most famous slogans that people shouted or wrote on banners.
The history of the origins of pacifism
It is believed that the terms “pacifism” and “pacifist” were first voiced and adopted at the 10th General Peace Congress, held in Glasgow (Scotland) in 1901. The first word was used to indicate the mission of the congress, and the second was used for the people who participated in it. Over time, the understanding of what a pacifist is expanded, and all people who publicly opposed war began to be called this.
Thus, the term "pacifist" has only existed for a little over a hundred years. But the phenomenon itself has a much longer history. So back in the 1st century BC. e. ideas of humanity and non-violence were voiced. The ancient Romans developed a system of concluding peace treaties that would provide security guarantees to the parties entering into them.
Pacifism was an important part of the Christian religion immediately after its inception. Even then, Christians refused to serve in the army for religious reasons. However, with its transformation into a universal European religion, Christianity was closely integrated with the state and no longer condemned military actions (and sometimes even encouraged them, as during the Crusades).
Subsequently, the strengthening of pacifist sentiments in Europe was observed in the 14th-15th centuries (during the Renaissance), as well as at the beginning of the 19th century (after the Napoleonic wars, which at that time seemed incredibly large-scale and destructive). At the end of the 19th century, pacifism became an international movement , and the League of Nations promoted its ideas.
Modern pacifism arose from a rethinking of the consequences of the First and Second World Wars. The main popularizer of pacifist ideas today is the UN, an organization created specifically to preserve peace on the planet and protect the rights of all people.
Interesting facts about pacifism and pacifists
We bring to your attention several interesting facts about pacifism that will help you broaden your horizons, understand the essence of this ideology and realize how important it is to stop in time, get rid of aggression and look at the situation from a completely different point of view!
Fact No. 1. Alfred Nobel and his famous prize
Few people know that Alfred Nobel, whom modern people associate only with his famous prize, is the inventor of dynamite! The creator of the deadly substance always sincerely believed that if the warring parties suddenly had a weapon, thanks to which they could destroy each other in an instant, then the opponents would immediately stop conflicting, since they would instantly realize that winning the war and getting at least some neither side will benefit.
Nobel claimed to be one of the most ardent and active pacifists, but in 1888, an erroneous report on the death of the inventor and an obituary published on the occasion called him a “seller of explosive death” and a “millionaire who made his fortune on blood.” The man did not want to remain a villain and a bloody rich man in the memory of mankind, so he bequeathed his entire fortune to the establishment of one of the most popular scientific prizes today.
Fact No. 2. Jainism is a religion that prohibits harming any living beings
There is only one religious and philosophical doctrine in the world, the dogmas of which prohibit causing harm to any living creature. This religion was called “Jainism”. Its essence lies in the renunciation of earthly desires and interests.
Monks who profess Jainism lead an extremely ascetic lifestyle: they constantly wear gauze bandages, filter drinking water, sweep the road in front of them with a special broom, etc. All this is done so as not to accidentally inhale, swallow or crush any living creature.
Today in India and in many other countries of the world there are about 8-9 million followers of Jainism.
Fact No. 3. Pacific - a symbol of pacifism
Pacifism, like many other social movements, has its own symbol. This symbol is called “Pacific” (translated from English as “peaceful”). In 1958, it was specially created by the famous designer Gerald Holtom.
What do the symbol of pacifism and the emblem of the 3rd Panzer Division of the Wehrmacht have in common? Absolutely everything, since they are completely identical to each other. It's funny, isn't it? After all, the emblem of the German tank division symbolizes death, and the Pacific can rightfully be called a symbol of peace, life and love for all living things.
Famous pacifists
The first pacifists were ancient Greek natural philosophers. They viewed the Cosmos through the prism of balance, harmony and internal order. Pythagoras taught his followers not to kill people, not to harm animals, insects or plants, to live in harmony with themselves and the outside world, to do good, to forgive enemies.
Virgil is another admirer of pacifism who lived in the Roman Empire and called for peace and non-violence for all people. Famous Stoic pacifists were Seneca, Cicero and Marcus Aurelius.
During the Renaissance, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, C. Saint-Pierre, M. de Bethune Sully The main idea of “eternal peace” was to unite all the countries of Europe and Russia into a single union.
Thinkers of New and Contemporary times who actively developed pacifist ideas include L.N. Tolstoy, M.L. King, Mahatma Gandhi, Erasmus of Rotterdam, Bertha von Suttner, F. Passy, etc.
After the First World War (1914-1918), many politicians and statesmen used pacifist slogans and ideas to justify their actions in the international arena. Among them are the Americans W. Borah and F. Kellogg, the British O. Chamberlain and R. Cecil, the French P. Painlevé and A. Briand, etc.
At the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth centuries in Russia, the ideas of pacifism were actively developed by L.A. Kamarovsky, M.A. Engelhardt, M.A. Taube, F.F. Martens, Prince V.V. Tenishev, etc.
Modern pacifists were and are such famous and successful personalities as Bob Marley, John Lennon, Jim Carrey, Albert Einstein, Michael Jackson, Erich Maria Remarque, Stevie Wonder, Janet Rankine, Brigitte Bardot, Susan Sarandon, Samantha Smith, Bertrand Russell, Victor Tsoi, Cicciolina, Muhammad Ali, Joan Baez, Roger Waters, Peaceful Wanderer (Peace Pilgrim), Larry Flynt, Moana Pozzi, etc.
John Lennon
Danish pacifism as an example of true patriotism
In wartime, pacifists are usually called accomplices of the enemy, cowards, Judases, collaborators, traitors, etc. But if the internal philosophy of pacifists corresponds to all these offensive statements, then why did the “Down with the Guns” exhibition take place in the Black Diamond National Library in Denmark in 2015?
It is not necessary to be a supporter of militarism and pick up a gun to prove your love for your native country not only to others, but also to yourself. Although Denmark remained neutral during the First World War, not all of its citizens continued to lead their usual way of life.
Some of the peaceful Danes, not wanting to take part in hostilities, nevertheless decided to start their own fight against the enemy. It was these brave and extraordinary pacifist personalities that the “Down with Weapons” exhibition was dedicated to.
Ingeborg Stemann
At the very beginning of the exhibition, everyone could look at a huge portrait of the teacher and translator Ingeborg Stemann, who was born in 1889. From early childhood, the girl became interested in studying different cultures, and after graduating from school she studied at Copenhagen and Paris universities.
Ingeborg received not only a university education, but was also actively engaged in self-education. She could speak fluently not only in her native language, but also in ten foreign languages. The woman devoted a lot of time to multicultural and international projects, teaching, publishing books and establishing contacts between representatives of different nationalities.
Ingeborg was an excellent translator, and there was always work for people with such talent in wartime. Stemann did not want to spoil her life with murders, so she got a job as a translator in a camp built by the Danes for Russian soldiers captured by the Austro-Hungarian army, which was located in Horserod. The woman not only carried out her direct duties, but also worked to improve the living conditions of Russian prisoners, recorded their stories and fought against communist propaganda.
An agreement with the newly formed Soviet government allowed many prisoners of war to return home. Ingeborg wanted to compile and publish a book from stories recorded from the lips of captured Russian soldiers, but her dream was not destined to come true. The translator died in 1973.
Peter Munch
The Minister of Defense and an ardent supporter of Danish neutrality, Peter Munch, is another hero of the “Down with the Guns” exhibition. Although the idea of neutrality was not something new for Denmark, because at the state level pacifist sentiments had formed even before the outbreak of the First World War, Peter still managed to make his contribution and become a national hero deserving special respect for ordinary Danes.
Munch was born in 1870. In his youth, the politician was inspired by French socialist ideas. The young man published the magazine “New Century” and became the founder of a political club, which later turned into the cradle of the radical left party. Peter Munch not only supported the idea of state neutrality, but also wanted women to get the right to vote in elections, and the disadvantaged and homeless to get the help they needed!
Munch argued that non-participation in military conflict is the best option for self-defense. He always tried to explain as clearly as possible to his fellow citizens and residents of other countries that a truly legal and democratic state must spend money on fighting poverty, and not on arming or intimidating potential opponents and neighboring countries. These views, formed during discussions, reflections, political debates and the study of history, helped Munch realize that Denmark must engage in disarmament, because the country is not only unable to defend itself, but not a single world power will stand up for it in times of need. If Denmark remains without weapons and does not enter into military alliances, then the country will not pose any danger to other nations.
The statesman, who openly demonstrated his pacifist views, enjoyed enormous authority among his fellow citizens, so after the end of the First World War he continued his political career. Peter Munch died in 1948.
Georg Brandes
Georg Brandes is a Danish publicist and literary critic, whom many call the Scandinavian Belinsky. He came from a respectable and wealthy family. At the University of Copenhagen, the future writer studied literature, law and philosophy. He visited almost all European countries and sympathized with liberals.
The publicist was born in 1842, so by the beginning of the First World War he was already a famous writer with a worldwide reputation. The man argued that military nationalism is a disgusting phenomenon, the basis of which is ordinary human stupidity.
Although at the beginning of the twentieth century twenty-volume works by Georg Brandes were published in Russia, now few of our compatriots are familiar with his work. The writer’s influence on European culture was truly colossal.
The writer’s pacifist views quarreled with almost all his friends. But it’s impossible to call Brandes a 100% pacifist in the modern sense of the word, because he believed in a “just and good war.” Georg Brandes died in 1927.
Andreas Fritzner
Andreas Fritzner is not only another hero of the “Down with Weapons” exhibition, but also the record holder for being imprisoned for political reasons. He was born in 1887 and became one of the symbols of Danish pacifism.
Fritzner is a socialist-syndicalist who was imprisoned for refusing to perform military service, for anti-militarist propaganda, for statements displeasing those in power, for participating in skirmishes, for organizing events that turned into street battles, etc. For Fritzner, pacifism is not helpless submission, but a fight for one’s beliefs!
The man often went on hunger strikes in prison, and in freedom he protested against those capitalists who increased their wealth by fulfilling military orders.
In 1917, the socialist was declared unfit for military service, and in 1930 he joined the Danish Communist Party. In 1939, Andreas was expelled from the party for his anti-militarist position.
The protest against the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia was the latest demonstration of Fritzner's pacifist views. The syndicalist pacifist died in 1969.
Maria Nielsen
Internationalist, socialist and teacher Maria Nielsen was born in 1875 into a poor family, so she was forced to wage a desperate struggle for her existence. She argued that the priorities of the working class must come before national priorities, so workers should not kill or harm each other in wartime.
Although Maria joined the Social Democratic Party, she was forced to leave it at the beginning of 1918 because of the political compromises of other party members, which seemed completely unworthy to a woman.
In November 1918, she took part in a demonstration that ended in riots. Maria not only went to prison, but also lost her job. After some time, Nielsen joined the Communist Party, but due to systematic violations of party discipline, he was expelled from it three times.
Maria Nielsen is a symbol of Danish humanism and pacifism. The woman managed to prove to herself and the people around her that justifications for war are sought only by those politicians who, for selfish purposes, send their own citizens to underground tunnels and trenches.
Our channel: Yandex Zen
Famous pacifists
Many writers, musicians, scientists and other famous historical figures held (or hold) pacifist views. Let's list a few of the most famous of them.
- Erich Maria Remarque. Remarque's novel All Quiet on the Western Front is one of the most famous pacifist works. At the age of 18 (in 1916), the future writer went to the front, where he spent six months, after which he could no longer fight due to serious injuries. For the rest of his life he openly opposed the war, and with the Nazis coming to power he was forced to leave Germany. His younger sister Elfrida was executed in 1943 for openly expressing anti-war views.
- Lev Tolstoy. The author of the novel “War and Peace” is the most prominent and famous Russian pacifist. He always spoke out openly against wars and all types of violence, and spoke positively about cosmopolitanism. Anti-war ideas permeate his main novel and many other works he wrote.
- Vasily Vereshchagin. Surely you have seen the painting “The Apotheosis of War” (1871), which depicts a mountain of skulls and crows flocking to it. It is interesting that at the time of painting this picture the artist was not yet a convinced pacifist. He became one after participating in the Russian-Turkish War (1877-1878), returning after which he painted a huge number of paintings depicting the horrors of war. The sensational subjects of his works made Vereshchagin famous in Europe and the USA, but in Russia his paintings were banned.
- Muhammad Ali. During the US Vietnam campaign, the boxer openly criticized US interference in the affairs of another country. Among other things, he publicly burned his agenda, encouraging other men to do the same. It is worth noting that Muhammad Ali also criticized the USSR for its participation in the Afghan War.
- Janet Rankin. She is the first woman elected to the US Congress. She became famous for being the only member of Congress to vote against US entry into both World Wars I and II. She is credited with saying, “The problem of the world is the problem of women.”
Among celebrities, all members of the Beatles, Alfred Nobel, Victor Hugo, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Bob Marley, Albert Einstein, Brigitte Bardot, Michael Jackson, Steve Wonder, Jim Carrey and Ulf Ekberg (founder of the group) are also known for their pacifist views Ace of Base).
Excursion into history
Pacifism as a movement began in England and America after the Napoleonic War. In the 80-90s of the 19th century, the ideology expanded to other countries, and then throughout the world.
When international congresses were held, pacifists came to them. They asked to pass a law banning starting a war, to take away weapons from all countries without the possibility of returning them. And if problems arise between countries, they should be resolved in common courts.
The communists had a negative attitude towards such statements and speeches. Because they believed that this would distract the attention of people who would take part in the revolution. During the First World War, Lenin said that pacifists shrouded the workers' minds in a fog.
Already by World War II, pacifists were involved in the activities of socialist and communist parties. Since a larger number of people-activists helped the leaders achieve their goal in inculcating their ideology and its development.
If you look at history even earlier, pacifism takes its origins from Buddhism . Because it was this philosophical movement that elevated the intellect and the development of spirituality, tranquility and inner balance. That is, the absence of aggressiveness and violence towards another person.
Criticism of pacifism
It would seem that pacifism is a purely positive phenomenon. And yet there are reasons for reasoned criticism. Arguments against pacifism fall into three categories:
- Political. As a rule, if a state is subject to aggression from another state, a pacifist policy is a losing policy for it. It risks losing some territory or sovereignty if it does not resist.
- Biological. Militancy and aggression are traits formed in human nature over thousands of years of evolution. It is impossible to get rid of them simply by promoting pacifism, since it is contrary to our nature. There will always be people calling for aggression, and there must always be someone who will stop them.
- Brain teaser. The average pacifist is an idealist, confident that his ideas will help build an ideal world. Alas, the world is not ideal, and situations regularly arise in it in which it is impossible to restore balance without aggressive military action.
One of the most striking examples of the negative consequences of pacifism is the genocide in Rwanda in 1994. Then the whole world watched the events taking place there, but did not even try to intervene in them, as a result of which from 500 thousand to 1 million people died (the exact number is impossible to determine). After this, the UN had to reconsider its attitude towards the policy of non-intervention.
Pros and cons of pacifism
What are the pros and cons of pacifism?
On the one hand, it may seem that there are no negative aspects to this phenomenon at all. Not giving an aggressive rebuff to the offender is great! To turn your left cheek when you hit your right is so Christian, so selfless. Such an act should awaken the conscience of the most evil and insidious enemy and turn him into a lamb. It's actually not that simple!
Every person should have a healthy dose of aggression. You can call it another way:
- excitement; ambition; thirst for justice; desire to protect yourself and your loved ones.
This is normal and natural. Imagine what would have happened, for example, to the fabulous Ivan Tsarevich if, having declared himself a pacifist, he had refused to fight with the Serpent Gorynych? The beautiful Vasilisa would still be in captivity of the villain, the Tsar-Father would weep inconsolably, and Ivan himself would turn into an object of popular ridicule. And no happy ending.
It's easy to be a pacifist when there's no war, but can you not blacken your hands when they want to kill someone you care about? Alexandrina Bobrakova. Adam
Pacifism has many disadvantages. People who never violate his principles suffer themselves:
- do not achieve heights in their career; They are considered weaklings and receive no respect from their community.
If during the Second World War the army of the Soviet Union consisted of only pacifists, it is scary to imagine what kind of end humanity would have faced.
Probably, you and I would not be discussing the psychological aspects of the concept of “pacifism” now: there would be no pacifists. However, like their antagonists – militarists (this is the antonym for the word “pacifist”). There would be no one alive at all. On the other hand, the idea of pacifism is inherently beautiful. Just think about it: there are no wars on Earth. Nowhere, not in Iraq, not in Afghanistan, not in Syria! Teenagers don’t start fights, children don’t fight. Utopia, in a word!
Indeed, if all of humanity consisted only of peaceful individuals giving each other a seat on the bus, life on our planet would become truly wonderful! So the small seed of the idea of pacifism must someday bear wonderful fruit.
We'll probably get to this point. It is no coincidence that today humanism is “in trend”, and has been for more than one decade. In the meantime, alas, “Good must come with fists.”
I can stand up for myself and for my beloved! To punch someone in the eye, as a pacifist at heart, will, of course, be unpleasant, but if there are no other arguments, the man resorts to action. Sergey Vitalievich Bezrukov
Pacific sign
The official symbol of pacifism is the sign ☮, which is called “pacific”. It was created in 1958 by British artist Gerald Haltom as a symbol of nuclear disarmament. Later, in the 1960s, it became an international symbol of the anti-war movement and gained popularity in youth subcultures (which is why many today think it is a sign of the hippie movement).
There are several interpretations of what the peace sign means. The most popular version is that this is a print of a pigeon's foot (sounds quite logical, since the pigeon is considered a bird of peace). According to another version, it is believed that the emblem of the world shows roads converging into one and symbolizing the unity of all countries.
But in fact, this symbol is a combination of two semaphore signals, denoting the letters N (hands with flags are lowered and slightly spread out to the sides) and D (one flag is raised vertically up and the second is lowered). The letters N and D are an abbreviation for the phrase nuclear disarmament - “nuclear disarmament”.
