why should i be a pacifist?
During World War II my mother's father, who is now deceased, flew over 150 missions for US Air-force in the south Pacific, where my father's father also served in the US navy. At the time, there was a large movement towards serving their country in what has often been viewed as a justified war. Yet today I find my granddad disgusted by the very fact US went to war against Germany in addition to any other war, under the claim that war only manifests destruction, devastation, and humiliation (among other adjectives which describe in essence ‘pain’). The alternative act or philosophy of pacifists has been readily accepted with the goal to simply do good to those around you. Thus the evolution of humanity may continue to towards a more sophisticated state of being and distance us from our savage-like past. There in lies another question for another time: Has humanity evolved in any sense?
The conclusion achieved by a ‘pacifist’ can be defined as a moral conviction derived from one’s own conscience; meaning that a pacifist position is based upon an actions nature in terms of ‘good’ and ‘evil,’ or ‘right’ and ‘wrong.’ For my granddad, the act or state of war can not bring about anything ‘good’ and is in itself evil. Naturally then a pacifist position in times of war avoids such evils. Yet, I have difficulty finding any substantial bases for the claim that nothing ‘good’ has come from wars. It can not be denied that pain and suffering is evident throughout war, but then again life has never been free of pain.
Events, experiences.....the perspective of each individual is more then likely to be shaped by their surrounding environment. But an individual’s perspective does not define reality. Instead reality is the common foreground in which various perspectives lie. Over time, the ideals and perspectives of a given generation shift or change in such a way that what was once given esteem is often discouraged. For example, the values of ‘Courage,’ ‘Honor,’ and ‘Loyalty,’ that were once character traits manifested during times of war have been replaced over the years. Despite the move towards a more ‘Tolerant’ and ‘Pacifist’ approach towards relations, either personal or political, values such as loyalty and courage are not to be discredited in times of opposition. Let me clarify that they are neither a motive towards aggression or opposition, but there is value in characteristics such as ‘Loyalty,’ ‘Courage,’ and ‘Patriotism.’
The conclusion achieved by a ‘pacifist’ can be defined as a moral conviction derived from one’s own conscience; meaning that a pacifist position is based upon an actions nature in terms of ‘good’ and ‘evil,’ or ‘right’ and ‘wrong.’ For my granddad, the act or state of war can not bring about anything ‘good’ and is in itself evil. Naturally then a pacifist position in times of war avoids such evils. Yet, I have difficulty finding any substantial bases for the claim that nothing ‘good’ has come from wars. It can not be denied that pain and suffering is evident throughout war, but then again life has never been free of pain.
Events, experiences.....the perspective of each individual is more then likely to be shaped by their surrounding environment. But an individual’s perspective does not define reality. Instead reality is the common foreground in which various perspectives lie. Over time, the ideals and perspectives of a given generation shift or change in such a way that what was once given esteem is often discouraged. For example, the values of ‘Courage,’ ‘Honor,’ and ‘Loyalty,’ that were once character traits manifested during times of war have been replaced over the years. Despite the move towards a more ‘Tolerant’ and ‘Pacifist’ approach towards relations, either personal or political, values such as loyalty and courage are not to be discredited in times of opposition. Let me clarify that they are neither a motive towards aggression or opposition, but there is value in characteristics such as ‘Loyalty,’ ‘Courage,’ and ‘Patriotism.’
2 Comments:
War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.
--John Stewart Mill--
i am wondering if your grandfather's memories of wwII have had a progressively more marked impact on his views as time has passed. i am thinking of the negative experiences. this could shape his present view. by the way, in your blog you don't actually put forward your own view/opinion. just an observation. remember. Piece IS Peace!
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