Violence is the use of force or power. According to the World Health Organization, it is divided into three broad categories: self-directed violence, interpersonal violence, and collective violence. The question of why violence is inflicted upon oneself or someone else is open to question. Could we categorize all violence as bad, or is some violence necessary to prevent people from committing punishable crimes?
Yes, violence is always wrong
The idealistic approach to ethics of violence is that no matter its reason, it can never be justified, which is why it is always wrong.
Interpersonal and community violence is always wrong
Interpersonal violence refers to threatening or abusive behaviors from family members and partners, including child maltreatment, resulting in physical or psychological harm.
Violence subjects innocent people into suffering. For instance, collective violence is the use of violence by a group of people against another group to achieve political, economic, or social gain. It often results in a large conflict where innocent children and women are targeted.
The violence that is inflicted upon oneself can lead to suicide or physical disability. Such harm can be in the shape of physical torture, like cutting, electrocuting, or passively harming oneself.
The physical and psychological impact of violence can last for years if untreated. Although many individuals are hospitalized because of violence inflicted on them, or their exposure to it from any degree, many victims still find it difficult to recover from their trauma.
Violence is irrational and an expression of the ego
Crimes are often committed by people who want to further their personal interests. It helps boost their ego rather than hoping to gain any monetary or political gain. For such people, the cause of the crime is less important than the very act of violence leading to the crime.
Violence is an inherent human behavior like joy and excitement. It cannot be avoided, but it should be numbed down in situations that require violence. It is necessary for introducing justice laws to prevent people from committing unjust harm in fear of the violence that might be inflicted on them.
Humans are inherently violent
Human violence is not a contemporary concept, but it is deeply rooted in our ancient history. It has shaped our physical characteristics as well as our brain mechanisms. However, that doesn't mean people are allowed to be violent to each other without any cause.
Although violence is a complex concept, it is sometimes understood to be a threat that can ensure peace for years. The looming dangers of war have allowed countries to calmly deal with conflict and find resolutions that move away from violence.
People have a right to use force or violence to defend their own lives or someone else who might be in danger. Violence in potentially dangerous situations is necessary to neutralize threats and save one's life from harm. Many laws support and protect such type of violence.
Many communities cannot take a peaceful approach to fight injustice because authorities will harm marginalized communities. To have their voice heard during policy-making decisions, violent protesting is justified.
