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PACIFISM. From the Latin pax (peace) +
facere (to make). A strict pacifist believes
all violence even if in self-defense is
impermissible. More modest forms of
pacifism hold that self-defense and the
use of force or violence is not morally
required. It has been argued that pacifism
involves passive injustice insofar as a
pacifist may not prevent wrongful killing.
Strong pacifist traditions may be found
in Jainism and the Society of Friends
(Quakers). The Amish and Mennonites
also have strong pacifist histories.

PAINE, THOMAS (1737–1809). An
English political writer who came to the
British colonies in America and played a
key role in making the case of American
independence. Paine argued fiercely
against Christianity, though he was a
deist who advocated a belief in individual
immortality. His works include Common
Sense (1776), The Rights of Man (1791–
1792), and The Age of Reason (1794).

PALEY, WILLIAM (1743–1805). Most
well known for his natural theology,

especially an argument for theism based

on the apparent design of the cosmos,

Paley was also a utilitarian and an advo-

cate of just social reform. His works

include The Principles of Moral and Poli-

tical Philosophy (1785), Horae Paulinae

(1790), A View of the Evidences of Christi-

anity (1794), and Natural Theology (1802).

PANENTHEISM. From the Greek pan +

en + theos, meaning “everything in God”

(cf. Acts 17:28). The belief that everything

is in God. Panentheism is distinguished

from pantheism insofar as it allows for

the existence of God to extend beyond

the world as well; God is in all things yet

also beyond them.

PANPSYCHISM. From the Greek pan- +

psychē, meaning “soul” or “mind.” The

belief that the world is a living organism,

with a soul or mind of its own. Some

panpsychists believe that every funda-

mental object in the cosmos has some

mental or experiential property.