The Absurd Simplicity of War

December 26, 2023 War and Peace No Comments

Two armies fight each other. Both see the other side’s fighters as mortal enemies for eventually no reason but perchance being on the other side. That’s not rational. It’s absurd, even more so because it seems reasonable to most people (soldiers and civilians) on both sides.

It’s simple.

Seen from any of the two parties, the good and the bad are easily discernible. Only exceptional (or deranged, inferior, inadequate?) individuals may point out that, perhaps, the other side is also the ‘good side’ and that many individuals from that side are OK.

Apart from these exceptions, things look simple: This war needs to be waged.

Except that it simply doesn’t.

ALL people are better off without war, even those who enrich themselves (money, status) upon it. Eventually, it backfires.

Especially nowadays, with all our technological equipment, we should know better. We MUST know better. Otherwise, history may well be against us.

In this vein, some see ‘realism’ in the idea that nations (countries, regions) by nature are competitive and cannot but fight each other — if necessary, by war. So-called realists talk about geopolitical tribes and human tribal nature as if the only option is some primitive law of the strongest.

Of course, that presupposition has not been proven. Therefore, those who call themselves ‘realists’ do so necessarily on loose grounds.

Tribes are definitely not synonymous with war.

Peoples are not synonymous with own-people-first ― ‘us against ‘them.’

Eventually, it comes down to whether many can deeply listen to themselves and each other within and between ‘tribes.’ Accomplishing this may be challenging, but it’s feasible. If done again and again, it’s powerful enough to prevent wars on a big scale.

Is it that simple?

Yes. But apparently, no ― because we see so little of it, which is just absurd.

Starting from this simple lack of deep communication, wars seem mind-boggling indeed.

It’s like entering a house on fire for no good reason — moreover, coercing others to enter the same house.

Burning people crying out.

People bombing others, including children, pregnant women, and, well, anyone. There is never a valid excuse.

Never.

There are always better options.

Always.

Don’t let anyone convince you of anything else!

War is the biggest sin.

It’s that simple- ― and absurd.