Violence

Abstract

DEFINITION OF THE TERM: Arriving at an adequate definition of the term “violence” is problematic due to the complexity involved in understanding the intentions of a perpetrator of violence. Different approaches to violence depend on the researcher’s methodological and contentual approach. HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE TERM: The article outlines the historical context of the various approaches to violence, including those of the Sophists and those formulated within modern political philosophy founded on the ideas of Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. The two concepts differ but share the conviction that institutional violence used by a sovereign is an important aspect of enforcing legal order in a state. DISCUSSION OF THE TERM: Violence is not a typical ethical problem. In this section of the article, the causes of violence are analysed and characterised from psychological, sociological, and cognitive science perspectives. Violent behaviour is treated as resulting from both individual and socio-institutional dysfunctions. Analysis is based on axiological theories (Max Scheler), political philosophy (Hannah Arendt), theories based on cognitive research on the causes of evil (Simon Baron-Cohen), and the findings of social psychologists and sociologists who investigate violence (Irena Pospiszyl, Agnieszka Widera-Wysoczyńska, Jacek Pyżalski). SYSTEMATIC REFLECTION WITH CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The philosophical approach to violence seeks to understand the essential nature of violence, which in the context of this article is understood as a key aspect of moral evil. We often encounter various forms of aggression and violence (both physical and mental) in social life. Recently, we have witnessed an intensification of verbal and pictorial violence within the media. This section of the article lists the publications that are devoted to violence (apart from those that are included in the References).