While there are many reasons why people engage in war, the question of what makes war moral is not so clear-cut. Some philosophers argue that war is morally unjust if it does not achieve its just cause. While there is much debate on this point, most agree that war is not morally justifiable unless it results in a tolerable aftermath. In addition, the moral relevance of war is often contested and debated by philosophers.
Some philosophers argue that war is an essentially political issue, and that we should accept the concept of individuality, sovereignty, and responsibility. But others reject the idea of the “I”, arguing that human beings are not atoms at all, but instead are a collective, organic group. The notion of an individual’s independence and autonomy from society is rejected by communitarians. This view highlights the importance of social relationships in human affairs.
Historically, wars have been fought for a variety of reasons, including resources, historical rivalries, grievances, or self-defense against an aggressor. However, a war is generally extremely destructive, causing immense loss of life and damage to societies and economies. While many people view war as unethical and unjust, it can be justified if the objective is to promote peace or resolve a long-standing conflict. The issue, however, must be decided as to what justifies a war.
The American Revolution gave thirteen North American colonies independence from British rule, and established the United States of America. The French Revolution, meanwhile, marked the rise of bourgeoisie in France and the Haitian Revolution was a slave rebellion that established Haiti as the first black republic. These conflicts and other historical events have raised questions about the role of military aggression in modern societies. However, they are important to understand. For example, it is worth noting that the Anglo-Indian War was caused by nationalism. Those beliefs influenced the outcome of the First World War.
As the study of war proceeds, more questions arise. The definitions of war vary greatly. It is vital to examine proposed definitions carefully, since they often reflect the author’s own political and philosophical views. A general definition of war should be based on the most common denominators of different conflicts, such as the goals of war and its causal role in history. The aim should be to provide a general framework that is both clear and comprehensive.
Depending on the cause of the conflict, a war may be classified as civil war, nation state war, or a war on terrorism. For instance, the American Indians fought for land, water, and food. While the English fought for economic gain, their cause of war was purely egocentric. The American Indians had no idea of ownership of the land until the English conquered it. They did not consider their land to be their own, and thus did not classify it as a war.