War

:For other uses of War, see War (disambiguation).

Morality of war

Throughout history war has been the source of serious moral questions. Although many ancient nations and some more modern ones viewed war as noble, over the sweep of history concerns about the morality of war have gradually increased. Today war is almost unanimously seen as undesirable and morally problematic. Many now believe that wars should only be fought as a last resort. Some, known as pacifists, believe that war is inherently immoral and no war should ever be fought. This position was passionately defended by the Indian leader Mohandas K. Gandhi (called "Mahatma" or "Great Soul").

Related Topics:
Pacifists - Mohandas K. Gandhi

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The negative view of war has not always been held as widely as it is today. Many thinkers, such as Heinrich von Treitschke saw war as humanity's highest activity where courage, honour, and ability were more necessary than in any other endeavour. At the outbreak of World War I the writer Thomas Mann wrote, "Is not peace an element of civil corruption and war a purification, a liberation, an enormous hope?" This attitude was embraced by many societies from Sparta in Ancient Greece and the Ancient Romans to the fascist states of the 1930s. The defeat and repudiation of the fascist states and their militarism in the Second World War, combined with the unquestioned horror of nuclear war have contributed to the current negative view of war.

Related Topics:
Heinrich von Treitschke - Courage - Honour - World War I - Thomas Mann - Sparta - Ancient Greece - Ancient Romans - Fascist - 1930s - Militarism - Second World War - Nuclear war

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Today, some see only Just Wars as legitimate, and it is the goal of organizations such as the United Nations to unite the world against wars of unjust aggression.

Related Topics:
Just War - United Nations

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~