Conflict & Violence

Tairitsu [対立] & Bōryoku [暴力]

You see, when dealing with violence you deal with conflict that has so many levels far beyond what most consider as violence or conflict. It requires us to learn of and understand conflict/violence because it’s the more subtle versions that tend to drag us into that “danger zone” of grave harm and death.

In essence I find conflict defined as:

to come into collision or disagreement; be contradictory, at variance, or in opposition; clash: to fight or contend; do battle; a fight, battle, or struggle, especially a prolonged struggle; controversy: quarrel; discord of action, feeling, or effect; antagonism or opposition, as of interests or principles: a striking together; collision; incompatibility or interference, as of one idea, desire, event, or activity with another: a mental struggle arising from opposing demands or impulses.

Look at conflict as yin, and violence as yang; for it takes both to escalate rinks from a minor impulse to a full blown violent predatory (like) attack. 

Bōryoku [暴力]

Lets do a bit of a refresher; you see, when dealing with conflict you deal with violence,  that also has so many levels far beyond what most consider as conflict or violence. It requires us to learn of and understand violence/conflict because it’s the more subtle versions that tend to drag us into that “danger zone” of grave harm and death.

In essence I find violence defined as:

rough or immoderate vehemence, as of feeling or language (think of this as conflict, etc.); an unjust or unwarranted exertion of force or power, as against rights or laws ( also conflict); damage through distortion or unwarranted alteration: rough or injurious physical force, action, or treatment: a violent act or proceeding: swift and intense force: rough or injurious physical force, action, or treatment: to die by violence; to suffer by grave harm.

Also, as it may apply to self defense or that physicality:

noun

• the exercise or an instance of physical force, usually effecting or intended to effect injuries, destruction, etc
• powerful, untamed, or devastating force the violence of a predatory attack
• great strength of feeling, as in language, etc; fervor
• an unjust, unwarranted, or unlawful display of force, esp such as tends to overawe or intimidate
• do violence to
• to inflict harm upon; damage or violate;
• to distort or twist the sense or intention of;

This provides one with a visualization of the insidious nature of conflict and violence and is a solid reason to educate and understand all levels and concepts so one who teaches self defense can cover fully and completely the full spectrum of SD, i.e., avoidance and self defense (the act; the repercussions; legal, moral and social consequences, etc.).

Note to reader: as you read through these definitions and take further research to terms within, you really do get a true sense of how complex conflict and violence can become. It’s no wonder some professionals respond to questions on this subject, especially in regard to SD, with the phrase, 

“It depends…”