"Violence"- when I use the word I am referring to the ethically neutral use of physical force, typically targeted against an individual or individuals.
As opposed to aggression, which is the use of violence against a person who isn't currently violating life, liberty, or property, nor credibly threatening to do so. Aggression is the initiation of force (or the initiation of violence).
Self-defense or defense of property can be violent but isn't aggressive since the other party "started it" by initiating force or violating property rights.
Violence can be good or bad; aggression is something you have no right to commit. Aggression is a facet of archation.
That makes sense except for the good violence part.
ReplyDeleteOn your walk home one day, you encounter a woman being assaulted by a man, so you beat him up or shoot him or something. Did you violate him? Does he have a right to defense against defense of his archation?
That is why I make that distinction between force and violence. Force used for archating is violence, while forced use for defense is not archating, therefore not violence.
I would say you didn't violate him, because he started it.
DeleteI would also say he still has the right to defend himself even though he's clearly doing something he has no right to do (but I hope he loses the fight).