This coming Wednesday at the Ideas Cafe, we will be discussing war. Is there such a thing as a "just" war where killing and sacrifice is required?Pacifist would say that nothing justifies the killing of another human being.
But what if it is the killing of a murderer that had the intention of killing many others if not stopped?
Coinciding with remembrance day and remembering the two world wars, was defending against Germany, Italy, and Japan justified? Would Neville Chamberlain's "peace in our time" agreement with Hitler a better approach than Churchill's "fight them everywhere" approach?If it is justified to go to war in defense of our country, what about going to war in defense of our allies?
If that is justified, what about risking conflict to help some poor souls suffering under a dictatorship somewhere?
In defense of values such as equality and liberty that we value so highly but are often violated elsewhere with no prospect of changing without force?
What about disagreements that are cultural and religious based but infringing on what we believe are fundamental human rights?
How do we balance human life versus principles?
Crusades and Jihads, are they not just fights against evil? Are our enemies really evil or are they just misguided, selfish, etc. When do we give up trying to convince them of their misguided thinking?
Why do we resort to fighting when we can't agree?
Why do we want others to agree with us?
Are wars more based on emotional reaction to hatred and misunderstanding rather than differences in values?
Does the study of history of wars invoke more hatred from past transgressions or promote more understanding towards forgiveness?
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