Transformative Bases for a New Nonkilling Paradigm

Abstract

Nonkilling, as presented by Paige (2002; 2009), refers to a form of society where killing, threats to kill and conditions conductive to killing are absent. This framework describes a deep transformation away from long held societal premises and presumptions rooted in the widespread acceptance of lethality (in all of its forms), and a refutation of mainstream killing-accepting science, in all disciplines from the biological sciences to the social sciences. Nonkilling proposes a complete paradigm shift (following Kuhn, 1962), with new principles, new language, new values, new methodological criteria, and a set of new tools for analysis of problems. This paper describes this new perspective and the basis for this normative and empirical shift of paradigm.