The application of physical force can only be justified if it serves objective defense or assistance, and does not simply stem from a state of excessive irritation.

Ethical Boundaries in the Use of Physical Force

The application of physical force can only be justified if it serves objective defense or assistance, and does not simply stem from a state of excessive irritation. From an ethical standpoint, the issue primarily comes down to how the individual applying force acts and the attitude they maintain towards the opposing party.

For instance, one source clearly describes the importance of maintaining a humane and moral attitude even towards someone who has been subjected to the use of force. “There is a thin, perhaps subtle, but absolutely precise and clear boundary between the moral and immoral use of physical coercion.

It all comes down to this: while countering evil, how do we view the wrongdoer?

Do we continue to maintain a humane, moral attitude towards him, taking into account his own well-being?” (source: link txt). Here, it is emphasized that even when the use of force is inevitable, it must be grounded in genuine regard for human dignity—both for the victim and the perpetrator of violence.

Another source provides an example where physical force becomes necessary in a critical situation: “When, upon seeing the killer’s hand reaching toward the victim, I grab it, will that be immoral violence? It will undoubtedly be violence, but not immoral violence; on the contrary, it will be a conscientious act, directly derived from the demands of a moral principle. By preventing a person from committing murder, I actively respect and uphold the human dignity that is at serious risk due to the perpetrator’s intentions…” (source: link txt). Here, physical force is applied as an inevitable means aimed at protecting life, executed with due responsibility and free from personal anger or cruelty.

An analogy is also drawn with rescuing a drowning person: “If it is permissible and morally obligatory to pull a drowning person out of the water, even if they resist, then all the more so—to pull a criminal away from his victim…” (source: link txt). This example underscores that the use of force is justified when it is directed at preventing greater harm and is carried out with respect for the individual, even if minor physical injuries are inevitable.

Thus, from an ethical perspective, the use of physical force can be justified only when it is executed with the purpose of preventing evil or protecting life, while still preserving respect for human dignity. Violence driven solely by excessive irritation or anger is unjustified, as it overlooks moral responsibility towards another person and leads to the erosion of humane principles.