Augustine debated this many centuries ago providing the concept of the "Just War" to Western thought. What do you think: is war ever good? Necessary? always evil?
Posted by Relentless Despot. on :
Peace is an illusion. Conflict is the only constant.
Posted by SuperSniper00 on :
War is good if you are warring against people that want to destroy you.
Posted by Bob Frey on :
It depends on the idiot or idiots who start it.
Seems that in understanding history some folks needed to be pushing up daises.
Posted by Gordon Bennett on :
Bush springs to mind!
Posted by SuperSniper00 on :
Bush didnt start anything. He finished it.
Posted by Gordon Bennett on :
Finished it? LOL
If you're talking about peace and prosperity, I suppose you could say that.
Posted by Griffon on :
Interesting collection of thoughts so far. Let me stir the pot a little further: I believe war can never be good, though it is sometimes necessary. War is always sin, the worst of all sins, reflecting the huge broken-ness in humanity. That very broken-ness though means sometimes evil people will leave us no choice, Hitler being a case in point. There are people for whom death-dealing and power-grabbing are their coping mechanism. These people must be stopped as they generally force themselves on others.
However, doing the necessary task does not make it "good" or "just." For some war is a "telos" or end in itself, for others war is the means to an end. Either perspective is problematic. My grandpa who lost brothers in both the Pacific and European theaters, and my uncle who served in Vietnam both said the only good thing about war is its ending. I think they spoke well.