Date of Award
4-5-2004
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Sociology
First Advisor
Dr. Stephen Cobb
Abstract
The prevailing definition of violence is one which is fundamentally subjective, allowing that acts be defined in innumerable ways. This definition neither provides individuals with a usable guide by which to understand violence nor is functionally the manner in which our society actually defines violence. The obstacles and consequences created by the existence of such a blurry understanding of violence are numerous. Scholars must begin to understand that acts of violence, though often quite identical, are assigned different meanings. Instead of continuing to study violence using its assigned meanings, scholars must pursue instead the basis of these assigned meanings. This can only be done if violence is investigated as a phenomenon which is objectively definable--that is, definable by actions.
Recommended Citation
Stanley, Chelli, "A New Conception of Violence" (2004). Honors Projects and Presentations: Undergraduate. 275.
https://mosaic.messiah.edu/honors/275
