Nonviolent Heroism Resisting Evil: Gandhi, Ilyin, and Desmond Doss on “Spiritual Bellicism”

What is it about?

This article explores the idea of nonviolent heroism. As seemingly diametrically opposed thinkers, Mohandas Gandhi and Ivan Ilyin both converge on a conception of ‘spiritual belloism.’ Emphasizing the spiritually trans-figurative value of love amid the horrors of war, this stands in contrast with the tradition of just war theory. Spiritual belloism is exemplified by the nonviolent heroism of the US Army pacifist Desmond Doss on Hacksaw Ridge. It manifest love in war, that is, immersed in the everyday horrors of fighting and killing. Spiritual belloism stands in contrast more familiar versions of belloism, such as loving war of its own sake, for personal aggrandizement, for national enrichment and dominance. However, it fails to conceptualize the unifying force of love without reference to violence as its necessary, if not sufficient, condition. Consequently, from Gandhi to Ilyin, its exponents stress ‘manly’ capacities for overcoming cowardice, nonviolently facing down violence, loving and denying war and all its horrors simultaneously.

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Photo by Gama. Films on Unsplash

Photo by Gama. Films on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Academic discussions of war and peace are dominated by the tradition of just war theory. This article takes an entirely different approach, concerned with manifestation of love in war. It therefore offers a unique alternative to the conventional wisdom on war and peace.

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