What is contingent pacifism?

Answer 1

Contingent pacifism is a belief that opposes violence and war, but is willing to accept some level of violence or conflict in certain situations or under specific circumstances. It recognizes that there may be instances where the use of force is necessary or justified, such as in self-defense or to protect innocent lives, but overall promotes nonviolent solutions and peaceful means of resolving conflicts.

Answer 2

While absolute pacifism admits no exceptions to the rejection of war and violence, contingent pacifism is usually understood as a principled rejection of a particular war. A different version of contingent pacifism can also be understood to hold that pacifism is only an obligation for a particular group of individuals and not for everyone. Contingent pacifism can also be a principled rejection of a particular military system or set of military policies. Contingent pacifists may accept the permissibility or even necessity of war in some circumstances and reject it in others, while absolute pacifists will always and everywhere reject war and violence.