- Question
Is it okay to punch Nazis?
In 2016, a video of white nationalist Richard Spencer being punched in the face by an unidentified assailant went viral. As it did so, a question that was first asked in World War Two rose to the surface of public debate again: is it morally permissible to punch a Nazi? Some consider these increasingly-publicized acts of violence to be slippery slopes that endanger free speech and compromise morals, while others consider games of whack-a-fascist to be their God-given right, as well as their moral duty.
No, it's not okay to punch Nazis
Punching Nazis might sound satisfying, but if we want to uphold our morality, both individually and societally, we must find other means to mitigate the threat of fascism.
Yes, it is okay to punch Nazis
This position holds that it is acceptable to punch Nazis. Its arguments contend that those targeted by Nazi ideology, not outsiders, may judge how to resist it; that fascists operate outside democratic norms; and that Nazism is a genuine danger that may be met with force.
Whether it is OK to punch Nazis or not doesn't fit in to the "yes or no" framework
This position holds that whether it is okay to punch Nazis cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. It argues that any justification for violence must always be contextualised — the appropriateness of the act depending on the actual circumstances rather than a blanket rule.