Violence in Human Society

8th Dialogue on Science, 14 – 16 October, 2009

Our views of what violence is are distorted because of the traditional approach to violence as a phenomenon in everyday life. The use and threat of physical and emotional violence against individuals or groups include the use of sheer force as well as the powers of self-assertion in relations of power and control. In a broader sense, violence can be found in all social classes around the world.

Violence affects all of us in one way or another. A lot of people seek shelter and security behind closed doors and shuttered windows and avoid dangerous places. Others do not have means to escape. The danger of violence, however, is also behind doors, hidden from the public. The lives of those who live in the middle of wars and conflicts are marked by violence. According to a report carried out by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the year 2003, 1.6 million people lose their life due to violence every year. An unknown number of people are negatively affected by violence in a way that is not always noticeable.

Causes of violence

The causes and justifications of violence are manifold. Social circumstances such as financial situation, level of socialization and cultural context play an important role. Human beings are also characterized by their biographical integration and their subjective perception of different situations when dealing, for example, with peer pressure, frustration and aggression. The influence of the media must not be underestimated. Especially interactive media such as internet, computer games, movies and television often convey a wrong idea concerning role models.

Development of possible solutions

The 8th Dialogue on Science in October 2009 has the aim to discover more about the different aspects of this type of threat. The awareness for violence shall be raised by directly addressing the issue using practical examples. The participants will explore ways to prevent, alleviate or even contribute to overcome violence.

If you are interested in the program or would like to attend the conference, please contact Dr. Dominik Gallike by email at "info (at) academia-engelberg.ch". We will gladly send you further information.

Impressions from the 2009 Conference are available under the following link.