Poder, violencia, guerra y pacifismo: P. Ricoeur

Abstract

The contemporary thinker P. Ricoeur was always worried, partly due to his vital experiences related to both world wars, for the problem of the evil. In this study, after laying the foundations from which the author departs in his exposition of the evil, I will approach its political dimension, specially the relation between power and violence, State and violence, so much to internal level (the punitive power of the institutions with regard to the citizens) as to external one (when the leaders of the State decide to declare a war and to imply, directly or indirectly, the civilians). Ricoeur rejects the war in general and its destructive power; he is, at first, for the pacifism, but he analyzes that attitude going into detail about all its implications, so that it does not limit itself to remain at the level of mere isolated acts with uncertain efficacy, but goes further, leaving its trace in History.