The experience of the body in the conception of peace

Abstract

The concept of peace can be analysed from two different perspectives: the first one, a reflexive and critical one that focuses on the different types of violence and how to overcome conflicts through non-violent actions. From a second perspective, to consider peace as something imperfect has to be developed continuously and commonly under no-linear standards. This latter conception of peace understands that it arises in different moments through diverse experiences that lead to different ways to understand and conceive the idea of living in peace. Therefore, creativity is commonly highlighted as a relevant element to solve conflicts inside contemporary societies as it offers other alternatives to perceive, analyse and even embrace a problem. However, solving conflicts through non-violent ways also requires one to be conscious about intercorporeality, which suggests a critical perspective about coexisting in an everyday world and space, which shapes how do we relate with other persons and beings. In this sense, it is not easy to talk about a shared space or world because individuals have normalised a life that is increasingly disconnected from a shared type of life. This perception allows the emergence and normalisation of expressions of violence against other persons as long as they do not represent a risk or danger for them. Therefore, understanding peace as an incomplete process requires a different way-of-being-in-the-world that prompts a sense of recognition, concern and care. Nevertheless, this way-of-being-in-the-world also leads to diverse forms of conceiving and experiencing life in common with other individuals; otherwise, we will be at risk to perish as indifference and violence will remain.