Philosophy Resource Center The Human Condition: Philosophical Issues War & Peace War & Peace Index Select a Feature... Philosophy Main Page General Resources Philosophy Glossary Resources: Ancient Philosophy Resources: Medieval Philosophy Resources: Modern Philosophy Resources: Recent Philosophy Philosophical Quotations Philosophical Issues Articles & Essays Philosophy Mini-Courses The Human Condition Main Index Philosophy Resource Center Main Page
Academy Resources Glossary of Philosophical Terms Timeline of Philosophy A Timeline of American Philosophy Diagram: Development of Philosophic Thought Diagram: Divisions of Philosophy The Philosophy Resource Center The Religion Resource Center Books about Philosophy in The Radical Academy Bookstore Books about Religion in The Radical Academy Bookstore Click Here for New & Used College Textbooks at Discount Prices Click Here for College Education Information & Study Resources Shop Amazon Stores in the Radical Academy Bookstore Magazine Outlet Music Store Classical Music Store Video Store DVD Store Computer Store Camera & Photo Store Computer/Video Games Software Store Musical Instruments Outlet Store Cellular Phones Toys & Games Tools & Hardware Automotive Store Outdoor Living Consumer Electronics Home & Garden Kitchen & Housewares Baby Superstore Apparel & Accessories Gourmet Food Grocery Store Sporting Goods Jewelry & Watches Health & Personal Care Beauty Store		Mortimer Adler: On War and Peace   The word "war" in everyday discourse usually means actual warfare, fighting with whatever weapons are available at the time and place, and the word "peace" usually means the opposite, the absence of violent warfare. But, considered philosophically, we must take account of a more complex set of meanings. In the first place we must distinguish between the state of war and actual warfare. Sovereign princes or sovereign states in relation to one another are in a condition of anarchy. In this century we have a new name for this condition. We have called it the "cold war," as opposed to the hot condition of actual warfare, In the "cold war" with each other, sovereign states may be either friendly or hostile, but that relationship can change from time to time. The word "peace," in addition to its negative meaning as an absence of the violence of actual warfare, has a positive meaning. Civil peace is enjoyed by a people who can settle all their conflicts and disputes by means of the instrumentalities of government and law, and so they do not have to resort to the violence of actual warfare. We owe to the philosopher Thomas Hobbes this more precise understanding of war and peace. It is this more precise understanding that leads us to the conclusion that, in the absence of government, which is anarchy, we cannot have civil peace, locally, nationally, or in the world of international relations. Permanent world peace without world civil government is impossible. War & Peace Index Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Book... Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Magazine... Academy Showcase Specials The Human Condition Main Index Philosophy Resource Center Main Page
-- Top of Page -- [Homepage] [Newsletter] [Search] [Support the Academy] [Link to Us] [Contact the Academy] [Citing Articles from Our Website] [Privacy Policy & Disclaimer] Copyright 1998-99, 2000-01, & 2002-03 by The Radical Academy. All Rights Reserved.