Analysis of the Self: The Facets of Violence

Violence is a form of destructive force, but it is a concept not entirely understood. Yes, definitions exist, but their application is not always clear in cases of minor violence. There are actions which appear violent, but are not, and there are actions which seem almost harmless, but cause damage. These things can be hard to define because violence is only clearly understood by all parties when it becomes excessive.

The best definition for violence is actually quite simple. Violence is a force which threatens survivability. This can relate to people, animals, plants, objects and even ideas or constructs. There can be violence against entire populations, cultures or environments. When looking at violence committed against the individual, this is separated into three categories, which represent the different forms of survival: physical, mental and spiritual.

Physical survival requires working to maintain the life of the physical body. This involves to decisions related to extending the human life. Physical violence equates to reducing the survival of life, which can involve many factors such as damaging resources, physical abilities or normal function (usually through pain).

Mental survival requires working to maintain the life of the mind. This involves decisions related to mental health and sanity. Mental violence equates to reducing the survival of sanity or mental strength through some form of emotional damage. This type of violence is not always intentional, and can be caused by circumstances instead of individuals. 

Spiritual survival requires working to maintain the life of the soul or the spiritual nature. This involves decisions related to spiritual health and the transition to the next life. Spiritual violence is the most problematic and can be the hardest to notice. It is usually self-inflicted violence, but can be caused by others or a society as a whole. It includes the pursuit of evil, destruction of values, misconceptions about self-worth, creation of fear, fostering of hatred and lack of love.

Violence is not only associated with negative change, but with fast or immediate change. A violent idea can be something which quickly invalidates past ideas. Cultural violence involves a quick dismantling of local culture, customs, values or ideals. Violence is almost never a positive force. Even if it involves a thing which is ultimately right, it becomes violent when it is done so quickly that it causes damage in some form. Progressive attitudes fuel human advancement, but can cause violent changes if left unchecked, letting things move more quickly than what can be handled by the whole.