On Pacifism

Victor Tadros (University of Warwick, University of Warwick)

Abstract: In this paper I show that familiar forms of pacifism – those that depend on the general immorality of violence, either on a fundamentally moral basis or an empirical basis, are false. However, I also argue that people are sometimes justified in becoming pacifists because of the good effects of becoming a pacifist. That is so even though their pacifist commitments will dispose them to wrongdoing. I then show that pacifists are sometimes excused for their wrongdoing, but that there are quite stringent conditions for such excuses. Finally, I argue that pacifists can be admirable for the good deeds that result from their pacifism even though they are disposed to wrongdoing.