Poll: Violence is never the answer

[Arsen]

"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any
other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst.
Nations and peoples who forget this basic truth have always paid for it
with their lives and freedoms."

- Robert Heinlein

It depends on the situation, but usually violence is the best defense in most cases.

 

[Pandaman1911]

"When you have killed all of your enemies, what is left to fear?"
Violence is sometimes the answer, but it's obviously not always the answer, that would just be stupid. Like punching the waitress in the face when she asks if you want soup or salad.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Violence is always an answer. Nothing more, nothing less.

Exactly this.

It's the answer that most commonly gets results, to add to that.

 

[Liquid Ocelot]

"Everything can be solved with ample applications of force."
-Me, because I can't remember if someone said it before me.

Joking aside, when it comes down to the wire, and the peaceful route has failed, you can't be afraid to resort to violence.

 

[katsumoto03]

It's an option, but should never be the first one you choose.

Unless you're fighting zombies, of course. If so: Fire away!

 

[legion431]

Well how did we solve World War 2?

 

[Sir Thomas Sean Connery]

The only absolute is that there are [i/]no[/i] absolutes.

Violence is often an answer and sometimes the right one.

 

[Estocavio]

Allow me to set a scenario.

Oh no, im being lunged at by a lunatic with a machete! There's a shotgun next to me, but violence is never the answer...
"Mister, calm down, violence is wro-" *I think you know the rest*

Or

Oh no, a trio of thugs with bats have surrounded me, and i have a stanley knife in my pocket from work. One of them doesnt look like a fighter, but the other two are getting ready to go for me.
But i cant defend myself, because violence is never the answer!
"Violence is wro-" *Same ending*



Violence is Always a Valid Option. It is up to your discretion when you employ it, so long as you are willing and prepared to face any possible consequences.

 

[RandV80]

A pure pacifist society/world is a lot like true Communism. Sounds nice in theory, but doesn't pass the human nature test. And violence is a part of human nature. I don't mean we're all into war & murder, but rather going by our sport & entertainment violence is fun and entertaining. Movies, video games, even shakespeare, all have violent aspects to them, and then there's sport like football, hockey, boxing, MMA.

 

[psijac]

Violence is a last resort. Its a very narrow tool to solve a singular problem. Saying, "Violence is never the answer" is like saying, "If you are a safe driver, you should never use your airbag in you car airbags are never the answer. You should have your airbags removed so you can't even be tempted to driver anything less than safe."

 

[Vykrel]

violence is often the ONLY answer. if a crazy, probably suicidal hostage-taker wont negotiate with authorities, does want anything, and cant have his mind changed, they dont just say "well, we cant resort to violence. i guess we should just give up". they shoot the bastard

and if someone is being bullied habitually by someone in school, it sure as hell wont work to talk to the person, because most bullies arent mature enough to realize what theyre really doing, and they probably dont give a shit if they get in trouble... so they have to be taught a lesson in a more aggressive way

also, if youre being attacked by someone whose sole intent is to cause you harm, the only answer is obviously violence in return.

 

[metal mustache]

HEY! didn't you're mother teach you to always remember to never use the words 'always' and 'never'?

 

[mega48man]

i've gotten numerous bullies to stop bullying me in the past by beat the shit out of them. i am no bully free and much higher up the food chain.

 

[Contun]

Hitler was insane. If we didn't use Violence we may be living under a Nazi flag.

 

[Iron Mal]

While it is a rare situation where violence should be our first response or course of action it is far from the truth to say that violence is never the answer.

Violence answers a lot of things, and usually in a quicker and more decisive way than words ever could (words can be taken in many ways, a punch in the face has only one, very clear interpritation).

I would even go so far as to say that there are situations that can only be resolved with violence (as sad as it is to realise that).

 

[metal mustache]

*snip out ugly fence*

That is a good looking fence lol

"If it is a choice between violence and cowardice I choose violence"
-Ghandi (Paraphrased)

Violence isn't sometimes just a potential answer but the only viable answer, questions like the thread starter are so vague as to the point of being almost useless. There are so many factors and details that go in to a question on the necessity of the use of force in any given situation that immediately discounting or choosing force from the outset is a poor choice to make. That said meeting the guy mugging you or the person in the back alley about to rape you with an appeal to their better natures and a rousing rendition of "Kumbaya" is a good way to get killed, so switching to a violent path sooner rather then later sounds like a healthy plant to me.

well maybe youre all quite tough but if someone wanted to beat the crap out of me i think singing kumbaya would be far more effective than any amount of actual resisting force i could muster.

 

[tjcross]

violence is the last answer only to be use when all other methods fail.

 

[TWRule]

I can think of at least one hypothetical situation existing where violence is the most expedient/appropriate choice - but that would certainly be the exception to the rule. It would take quite extraordinary circumstances to justify it, generally.

 

[kokirisoldier]

In my line of work, violence is almost always the answer. I'm a combat veteran from OEF. If ANYTHING threatens my friends/family or fellow soldier, i will attack with extreme prejudice and end them. There is no doubt in my mind that my M249 with my acog scope and my expert shot will down them. If not my 13F brothers will call in some artillery and end them where they stand.

 

[2fish]

Nothing can ever be a universal solution to anything. Violence will never be something that solves <everything[/I], nor will it never not be an option in any situation. One should never take something so generally, if you are ever thinking "is violence the answer?" then you are in a situation that requires special treatment and not the application of some bis, generalized idea. It should always be taken on a case by case basis.

Duct tape and Cheese are universal answers.

Violence is like manipulation always a choice but not always the best. Violence is a fun answer though, I mean people seem to like it in movies. With some people only violence will work with others it has the wrong effect.