| | '''Violence''' is [[physical]] [[force]] applied for unethical reasons such as [[aggression]], [[abuse]] or [[exploitation]]. Its ethical opposite is [[self-defense]] or defense of another. | | '''Violence''' is [[physical]] [[force]] applied for unethical reasons such as [[aggression]], [[abuse]] or [[exploitation]]. Its ethical opposite is [[self-defense]] or defense of another. |
| | Most countries have laws against violence, although some [[government]]s habitually employ violence against their own citizenry. [[International law|International legislation]] on [[human rights]] is meant to prevent this, but has proved difficult to enforce in practice. | | Most countries have laws against violence, although some [[government]]s habitually employ violence against their own citizenry. [[International law|International legislation]] on [[human rights]] is meant to prevent this, but has proved difficult to enforce in practice. |
| − | *Excessive violence is naturally associated with other forms of [[social pathology]]. [http://www.familyresearchinst.org/FRI_EduPamphlet4.html] | + | *Excessive violence is associated with other forms of [[social pathology]]. [http://www.familyresearchinst.org/FRI_EduPamphlet4.html] |
| − | In [[Christian]] thought, violence can describe any [[sin]] that is malicious, but does not use the human intellect. As well as direct physical violence, [[Dante's Inferno]] categorizes [[tyrant|tyranny]], [[suicide]], [[self-harm]], [[blasphemy]], [[usury]] and [[homosexuality]] as forms of violence. The last three are considered the most serious forms, as the violence is directed against [[God]] or [[nature]]. | + | In [[Christian]] thought, violence can include any [[sin]] that is malicious, but does not use the human intellect. As well as direct physical violence, [[Dante's Inferno]] categorizes [[tyrant|tyranny]], [[suicide]], [[self-harm]], [[blasphemy]], [[usury]] and [[homosexuality]] as forms of violence. The last three are considered the most serious forms, as the violence is directed against [[God]] or [[nature]]. |