"The rebuttal implies future Nazi-like entities looming on the horizon, and though this reductio ad Hitlerum generally has the effect of nullifying any continued rational discussion, it's difficult to imagine a satisfying pacifist answer to the problem of naked, implacable hatred and aggression on such a scale as that of the Third Reich."
"Even Gandhi's own proposal sounds like a joke: in 1940, Adolf Hitler abandons his plans to claim Lebensraum for the German people and to displace, enslave, or eradicate Germany's neighbors and undesirable citizens. He adopts a posture of non-violence and 'universal friendship,' and German forces withdraw from Czechoslovakia, Poland, Denmark, France, agreeing to resolve differences through international conference and committee."
Non-violent pacifism is often questioned in the context of extreme aggression, particularly regarding figures like Hitler. The argument against pacifism suggests that it fails to provide satisfactory solutions to overwhelming hatred and violence. Historical examples, such as Gandhi's appeal to Hitler for non-violence, illustrate the complexities of advocating for peace in the face of tyranny. The notion that pacifism can effectively counteract entities like the Nazis remains contentious and difficult to reconcile with the realities of historical aggression.
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