Peace is such a simple-sounding word itself. Lets have peace, some would say...we can never have peace, others might say. Peace...it means different things in different contexts and to different people. Some would say its possible, even likely...others would say its utopian...still others would say it would be nice, but its impractical to expect it. Some might say its a fundamental aspect of our human nature and others would say our very human nature makes it merely a dream. These and other variations...use the word as if its meaning is self-evident...obvious to the naked eye, so to speak. But when one begins to ask analytical/critical questions about it, the simplicity evaporates and we find it a much more complex reality. I’ve developed a series of such questions...certainly not exhaustive...which at least begin to tap into this complexity.After taking a look at them, I’ll present come critical thinking tools and/or concepts which are useful in developing a critical sociological perspective. Each tool/concept will be linked to an outline of its meaning, as well as to a short essay about it. These tools can, of course, be applied to ideas other than peace...but as presented here they will focus on it.
The questions (in no particular order) are:
1. What is peace (i.e. How should we define it)?
2. Is peace the absence of conflict?
3. What is conflict, sociologically understood?
4. Is peace equal to "winning"?
5. Can you "have" peace?
6. Does peace equal tolerance?
7. Does peace equal resolution?
8. Is it easier to say what peace is NOT than what it IS? Why?
9. Is peace equal to respecting differences?
10. Is peace the same as pacifist approaches?
11. Are all differences equally acceptable?
12. Can peace simply be declared?
13. Is peace an emerging reality (i.e. peaceMAKING)?
14. Is peace the opposite of war?
15. How can we AFFIRM what peace is?
16. Does peace mean thinking alike?
17. What root conditions would give rise to peace?
18. Is peace just another "value"?
19. What would peace allow us to do?
20. Is peace acceptable or desirable at any price?
21. Is peace linked to justice?
22. Is justice equal to balance?
23. Does human nature limit the possibility of peace?
24. Is peace possible in the face of the reality of nationalism?
25. Does peace mean the absence of violence?
26. Can peace be achieved through violent means?
27. Is peace a future human species development?
28. If so, how do we get from NOW to that FUTURE?
29. Is peace more than merely stopping war?
30. Can we socialize people for peace?
31. Who would benefit by preventing peace?
32. Is peace equal to order?
33. Is peace related to liberation?
34. Does peace have something to do with the basic necessities of life for humans?
35. How does ethnocentrism prevent peace?
36. Are there any standards...separate from any particular culture...for use to establish what peace is?
37. Is peace an end in itself...or is it a means to something else?
38. Why and in what ways is peace as much a MICRO level idea as a MACRO idea?
39. What are our possible futures if peace never emerges?
40. Is there such a thing as a "just peace"?
As mentioned above, there are a number sociological concepts or "tools" which help develop critical thinking skills. The following short list contains some of these tools. A detailed outline of each, as well as a short essay about them, can be found HERE. There is a Menu of concepts/tools. Clicking on the concept will take you to the outlines...clicking on the title of each outline will take you to the essay (with the exception of Epistemology/Logic). This short list contains the essential ones, although the others will certainly help expand one’s critical approach. I encourage you to take a look at this list first, then on to the others as your time and interest permits.
Critical
Radical
Presupposing
Empathy
Motifs of Sociological Consciousness
Social Relation
Synergism
Paradigms
Ideology
Epistemology/Logic
