Is violence ever the answer?
 

Maybe there's a guy you know who used to do awful things to other people, and just refused to learn until someone finally socked some sense into him. Maybe you're a parent, and you believe that disciplining your child after they do dangerous things will condition them to avoid that kind of behavior in the future. Maybe you and your friends have a fight club, to let off steam. Or maybe you're afraid of the idea of being victimized, and practice self defense techniques, or maybe even own a weapon, to protect yourself.

Does violence ever solve anything? Is it okay if it's consensual (for fun or sport), or is it always wrong? Is it ever alright to make the first move in a fight? Should you purely use it as a last resort? Or should you never use it at all?

Only in self-defence. And that could still be the first move. You don't wait for the knife-wielding robber to stab you before you fight back.

Guess it depends what the question is??

Seriously, sometimes it is the only answer, but as Goof says, it should be a last resort. You don't kick someone in the face just because he LOOKED LIKE he was going to attack you. You need to exhaust all other avenues of response (assuming you're in a situation that allows that) rather than talking with your fists.

Then again...
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fL-KhsJB23...ationfirst.jpg

Yes. You can't always take the diplomatic approach.

I don't agree with spanking children. If they smart enough to understand reason, then reasons with them. If they aren't advanced enough to understand reason, then they won't understand the reason that you're spanking them, so they just see it as an attack. And that does nothing more than hurt your interpersonal relationship. [God help me, I feel like a fucking liberal typing that, but it's how I feel.]

For sport? I'm fine with combat sports. Two people [none of that 5-on-5 "team" bullshit] agree to a set of rules and engage in a safe manner, then go for it!

In every day life? Use your best judgment.

Unless by diplomatic you mean Dick Cheney.

I believe that complete pacifism is most moral and courageous position.

Would you rather be CORRECT or would you rather be HAPPY? You can sit there chanting peaceful mantras, but if some dude comes up and kicks you in the face, then what?

I do nothing for a few years and then after it’s long forgotten I kill his daughter.

An accredited martial artist such as yourself should know how to deescalate a situation without resorting to violence.