A philosophy of war
This thesis examines in four parts a collection of philosophical arguments dealing with war. The conclusions drawn are that war is a definable and applicable concept, that above the level of biological reactions war is the result of beliefs, that an objective distinction exists between aggressive and defensive actions, and that war is only justifiable in the protection of core rights. The first part analyses competing definitions of war. It is argued that the concept of war is philosophically appropriate and captures the conceptual common denominator between particular wars. The essence of war is defined as âa condition of open-ended violenceâ. Part Two explores the causal relationships between metaphysical and epistemological beliefs and war. It is held that war cannot be explained away as an unalterable fact of the universe, hence deterministic explanations fail in favour of the conclusion that wars are the product of ideas and ideas are volitionally obtained. The third part continues an exploration of determinist accounts of war and examines how various theories of human nature attempt to explain why war occurs. For methodological purposes human nature is trisected into biological, cultural, and rational
Moseley, Darran A.
philosophy ; philosophical arguments ; metaphysical and epistemological beliefs ; definitions of war ; ethical and political reasoning to war
A philosophy of war. This thesis examines in four parts a collection of philosophical arguments dealing with war. The conclusions drawn are that war is a definable and applicable concept, that above the level of biological reactions war is the result of beliefs, that an objective distinction exists between aggressive and defensive actions, and that war is only justifiable in the protection of core rights. The first part analyses competing definitions of war. It is argued that the concept of war is philosophically appropriate and captures the conceptual common denominator between particular wars. The essence of war is defined as âa condition of open-ended violenceâ. Part Two explores the causal relationships between metaphysical and epistemological beliefs and war. It is held that war cannot be explained away as an unalterable fact of the universe, hence deterministic explanations fail in favour of the conclusion that wars are the product of ideas and ideas are volitionally obtained. The third part continues an exploration of determinist accounts of war and examines how various theories of human nature attempt to explain why war occurs. For methodological purposes human nature is trisected into biological, cultural, and rational
philosophy war examines part collection philosophical_argument deal war conclusion_draw war definable applicable concept level biological reaction war belief objective distinction exist aggressive defensive action war justifiable protection core right first_part analyse compete definition war argue concept war philosophically appropriate capture conceptual common denominator particular war essence war define condition open_ended violence part_two explore causal_relationship metaphysical epistemological belief war hold war explain away fact universe hence deterministic explanation fail favour conclusion war product idea ideas obtain third_part continue exploration account war examine_various theory human_nature attempt_explain war occurs methodological purpose human_nature biological_cultural rational