Nonviolence and the Grand Inquisitor

This monograph develops a new ethical framework for understanding nonviolence through leveraging Dostoevsky’s parable of the “Legend of the Grand Inquisitor” from The Brothers Karamazov. In doing so, it engages in a critical examination of classical and contemporary theories of nonviolence and engages with prominent thinkers ranging from Gandhi to Žižek to Judith Butler. The book also integrates literary analysis with empirical data and presents readers with innovative perspectives on the efficacy and challenges that nonviolence poses activists in different contemporary socio-political contexts. With interdisciplinary appeal, this monograph identifies under-explored connections between literature, philosophy, and civil resistance which makes it a valuable resource for academics and activists alike.