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

Moral Equivalent of War - Essay ExampleThe soldiery purport involves giving up self-interest for the full of the group hence peaceful coexistence and therefore according to James, contend must have its way unless a moral akin is found which can discipline the solid community and make them feel valued. This would involve conscription of the whole youth population to form an army against record which is the only enemy of justice and peace. By performing such duties as dishwashing, road building, sear and iron mining, widow washing, and tunnel making among other duties, the youth would be moulded into responsible men with suitable virtues such as which would replace legions virtues hence a moral equivalent of war (Par 25-26). The take up for a moral equivalent of war is due to the fact that war is irrational. The ancient communities fought only for the interest of glory and to steal women and other possessions. These multitude ideals are passed on from generation to generati on but in modern times they are restricted for war is only fought when necessary. Instead, farmings seek peaceful negotiations and only competitiveness 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 command gained during the peace period and the absence of war would lead to degeneration of life (Par 8). Militarism is in addition viewed as a means by which men gain and retain their hardihood and since war is discouraged, the anti-militarists argue that men carry 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 opinio n just like militarist hardihoods are energized by fear. hands would feel obliged to act for the common 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 achieve its objectives especially those who practice socialism. Ownership of private property is discouraged so as to get wind equality for all members of the society. They all work together for the common good of all community members and take a shit 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 survival and which would act as moral equivalent of war. For Gregg, free choice should not be suppressed for the sake of economic equa lity (9). As such, the state does not need to interfere with the liberty of individuals as they can reason and choose what is dress hat in achieving their ends. Rather, the state should provide assistance to the community to enable 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.