benlehman

I think there is a difference between "absolutely required" and "at times necessary" on at least a philosophical level. I do differ from many Quakers in believing it is at times necessary. That is because I have seen too many examples of what can happen if really destructive people are not restrained, and sometimes violence is the only way to restrain such people. That said, I don't think that violence is "absolutely required" in the course of the vast majority of people's lives. Do I think cops need the option to use force? Absolutely. Do I believe that every person must use violence to assert their position at some point? No, it is definitely not necessary. And to clarify, I am defining violence as physical force.