LogFAQs > #984857162

kind9 posted...

How do you figure that? I always hate when people appeal to human nature. What is sure about human nature is that when we work together we thrive and advance. Why be a self-destructive species?

Hey, I was expressing my belief, not making an appeal. >.> I never expect anyone to adopt my beliefs.

Ironically, I think war is a perfect example of the power of teamwork. The greatest strength of the most powerful military in the world today is not its destructive capability, but it's logistical capability. The US military can get whatever it needs wherever it needs to be, be it aid, bases, people, or bombs, and that takes immense coordinated effort.

As for war being intrinsic to human nature, I see it as a combination of simpler intrinsic properties. The need for space, the need for resources, the tendency towards belief systems(not even religious, just differing.) Given a rising population, competition is inevitable. I wonder if war was the very first form of competition mankind ever had. Sports and elections are direct surrogates for war, but you could make the argument that all non-violent competition is the surrogacy of war.

I don't know if war is counter to human flourishing. I suspect it depends on the motive. Where does a war in which the defender annihilates the aggressor stand on that? The defender's first responsibility is not peace, but survival.