When bodies speak differently : putting Judith Butler in conversation with Mahatma Gandhi on nonviolent resistance
Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This article puts political philosopher Judith Butler in conversation with Gandhi, on the
topic of nonviolent resistance. More particularly, we compare them on a systematic philosophical
level. Although we focus on Gandhi’s more activist side, by delving into the ontological presuppositions that Butler and Gandhi share, we can do some justice to how his activism is firmly rooted
in a faith-based understanding of the world. We discuss four themes in each of which they complement each other: namely, the ontological roots of the nonviolent imperative; their rejection of an
instrumental view of violence; nonviolent resistance seen as communicative action; and nonviolence
viewed as a way of life. This discussion shows that while they have very different starting points and
vocabularies, and while some tensions remain, there is much scope for cooperation, solidarity and
alliance between religious and nonreligious practitioners of nonviolent resistance.
Description
CITATION: Du Toit, L. & Vosloo, J. 2021. When bodies speak differently : putting Judith Butler in conversation with Mahatma Gandhi on nonviolent resistance. Religions, 12(8):627, doi:10.3390/rel12080627.
The original publication is available at https://www.mdpi.com
The original publication is available at https://www.mdpi.com
Keywords
Nonviolence, Gandhi, Mahatma, 1869-1948, Butler, Judith, 1956-, Passive resistance
Citation
Du Toit, L. & Vosloo, J. 2021. When bodies speak differently : putting Judith Butler in conversation with Mahatma Gandhi on nonviolent resistance. Religions, 12(8):627, doi:10.3390/rel12080627.