As riots once again break out amid protests about police violence, I recall an analyst being interviewed on Democracy Now during the Ferguson riots who advocated that we must “get past the violence” to listen to what the protestors are demanding.

This, of course, is impossible.

Violence is the cornerstone of ethical philosophy. It is the entire goal of ethics, to eradicate violence. It is the source of all miscommunication, in both Ferguson and in yesterday’s riot in Baltimore, that good people believe that violence makes a message unlistenable, while evil people believe that violence is what should prompt others to listen to their message.

These evil people are mistaken. Rule 1.1.1 says not to commit violence against others physically, and rule 2.1 says not to steal or damage the property of others. Riots, regardless of motivation, are by definition the exact antithesis of these rules. They are evil, and those who commit them are evil.

Feeling ignored? Feeling shut out of the process of justice? Would you like to right a wrong that you perceive in government? Don’t riot. That’s exactly the worst way to get your message communicated and acted upon usefully.