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Sramaņa, Vol. 55, No. 1-6
January-June 2004
Social Aspect of Non-Violence
Dr. B.N. Sinha*
Theory of non-violence is followed in society, but it is non-violence which makes the society exist. Society takes its origin in non-violence and it also flourishes in non-violence. Without non-violence there cannot be any social life. This is why, Giddings has defined society as -
“Society is the union itself, organization, the sum of formal relations, in which associating individuals are bound together. Union, organization, association in some way or other symbolise non-violence. In the words of J.L. Gillin - "Society is the largest relatively permanent group which share common interest, common territory, a common mode of life and common 'espirit de corps belongingness where by they distinguish themselves from outsiders”? The very word common represents the equality in society which is based on non-violence. So in the social conduct it has been asserted -
“Do unto other, as you would have other do unto you"
But this internal relation between non-violence and society cannot be known clearly till human nature and origin of society are not introduced here.
Human Nature Aristotle a great Greek-philosopher has propounded that "Man is a social animal". He(man) is an animal but with sociability. His sociability is due to gregariousness in his nature and several necessities in his life..
Gregariousness :- Because man is gregarious by his nature he wants to live with other persons. He participates in the pleasures and pains of others as well as he wants his own pleasures and pains to be participated by others. He praises others and wants to be praised by others. He does not want to be alone. So to keep a man alone is a punishment for him. After committing crimes a criminal is kept in some jail or cell where his all social activities are prohibited as punishment. A man always wants to be accompanied with others. *Former Reader, Deptt. of Philosophy, M.G. Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi-2
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