Moral Equivalent of War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Moral Equivalent of War - Essay ExampleThe army life involves well-favoured up self-interest for the good of the group hence wild pansyful coexistence and therefore according to James, war must have its way unless a moral homogeneous is found which can discipline the whole partnership and make them feel valued. This would involve conscription of the whole early days population to form an army against genius which is the only enemy of justice and peace. By performing such duties as dishwashing, road building, coal and iron mining, widow washing, and tunnel making among other duties, the youth would be moulded into responsible men with desirable virtues such as which would replace military virtues hence a moral equivalent of war (Par 25-26). The need for a moral equivalent of war is due to the fact that war is irrational. The ancient communities fought only for the sake of glory and to steal women and other possessions. These military ideals be passed on from generation to gener ation but in modern times they are restricted for war is only fought when necessary. Instead, nations seek peaceful negotiations and only fight when a compromise cannot be reached. However, for James it is difficult to bring peace-party and war-party together because of fear of disappearance of military action which is disciplinary. Nations live in fear hence are always preparing for war so for the military peace and war are synonymous with the latter being just a verification of mastery gained during the peace period and the absence of war would lead to degeneration of life (Par 8). Militarism is also viewed as a means by which men gain and retain their audacity and since war is discouraged, the anti-militarists argue that men require new hardihoods equivalent to those instilled by militants. These include fearlessness, giving up self-interest, and obeying commands (par 23). James believes that new energies and hardihoods can be acquired by altering public opinion just ilk milita rist hardihoods are energized by fear. Men would feel obliged to act for the reciprocal good of all hence feel proud of themselves and this would be the equivalent of war. The moral equivalent of war concept has been used in various situations by the nation to reach out its objectives especially those who practice socialism. Ownership of private property is discouraged so as to ensure equality for all members of the society. They all work together for the common good of all community members and give up self-interest. However, this concept is highly criticized by liberalists who believe men should be free to do what they ought to do without influence. Liberalists like Samuel Gregg would thus criticize William Jamess idea that men should be conscripted into an army against nature so as to acquire martial virtues necessary for endurance and which would act as moral equivalent of war. For Gregg, free choice should not be suppressed for the sake of economic equality (9). As such, th e narrate does not need to interfere with the liberty of individuals as they can reason and choose what is best in achieving their ends. Rather, the state should provide assistance to the community to alter them to realize integral liberty. He also argues that men can gain different virtues in many ways and use them for the common good of the community (Gregg 73). William James advocates for a state controlled economy or socialism type of government.