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War in Social Thought: From Hobbes to the Present

Everett Bell

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Published in War In Social Thought: Hobbes To The Present

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War is a complex and often contradictory phenomenon. It is a source of great suffering and destruction, but it can also be a force for good. War has been a central concern of social thinkers for centuries, and there is a vast body of literature on the subject.

War in Social Thought: Hobbes to the Present

by Hans Joas

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	632 KB
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Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	329 pages
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This book explores the complex and often contradictory ways that social thinkers have understood war. Drawing on a wide range of intellectual traditions, the book traces the development of ideas about war from the ancient Greeks to the present day. It examines the role of war in social and political thought, the causes of war, and the ethical implications of war.

The Ancient Greeks

The ancient Greeks were the first to develop a systematic theory of war. They saw war as a natural and inevitable part of human nature. War was a way to resolve disputes, to acquire resources, and to defend one's homeland.

The Greeks also developed a number of ethical principles about war. They believed that war should be fought only for just causes, that it should be conducted in a humane manner, and that the innocent should be protected.

The Middle Ages

The Middle Ages saw a decline in the study of war. Christian theologians condemned war as a sin, and they argued that it should be avoided at all costs. However, war continued to be a common occurrence during this period, and it played a major role in the rise of feudalism.

The Renaissance

The Renaissance saw a renewed interest in the study of war. Machiavelli argued that war was a necessary evil, and that it could be used to achieve political goals. Other thinkers, such as Erasmus, condemned war as a barbaric practice.

The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment saw a further decline in the study of war. Many Enlightenment thinkers believed that war was irrational and unnecessary. They argued that it could be avoided through education and diplomacy.

The Nineteenth Century

The nineteenth century saw a resurgence in the study of war. Clausewitz argued that war was a political act, and that it should be conducted in a rational and scientific manner. Other thinkers, such as Tolstoy, condemned war as a brutal and senseless waste of human life.

The Twentieth Century

The twentieth century was the bloodiest century in human history. The two world wars resulted in the deaths of millions of people. The Cold War also led to a number of proxy wars, which claimed the lives of millions more.

The twentieth century also saw the development of new technologies of war, such as nuclear weapons. These weapons have the potential to destroy entire cities and to kill millions of people.

The Present

The twenty-first century has seen a continuation of the trend towards globalization. This has led to a number of new challenges for the study of war. For example, it has become increasingly difficult to define what constitutes a war. The lines between war and peace are becoming increasingly blurred.

The twenty-first century has also seen the rise of new forms of warfare, such as terrorism and cyberwarfare. These new forms of warfare pose new challenges for policymakers and military planners.

This book has explored the complex and often contradictory ways that social thinkers have understood war. It has traced the development of ideas about war from the ancient Greeks to the present day. It has examined the role of war in social and political thought, the causes of war, and the ethical implications of war.

The book has concluded that war is a complex and often contradictory phenomenon. It is a source of great suffering and destruction, but it can also be a force for good. War is a part of human nature, and it is likely to continue to be a part of the human experience for centuries to come.

War in Social Thought: Hobbes to the Present

by Hans Joas

4 out of 5