Perspective

Stanford classics professor, Ian Morris, proposes war is good in his new book, War! What Is It Good For? “Conflict and the Progress of Civilization from Primates to Robots. Morris, both an archaeologist and a historian, surveys thousands of years of history and comes away with the seemingly startling thesis that human progress has been helped, rather than hindered, by war. As he writes, ‘by fighting wars, people have created larger, more organized societies that have reduced the risk that their members will die violently’" (“Why War Is Good,” Forbes, April 14, 2022). 

Although war is awful and barbarous, some surprisingly theorize it has been good for pushing human progress ahead. Political scientist, Benjamin Ginsberg, sets forth the shocking concept that war has benefits for civilization derived from armed conflict, and it has helped create larger and safer societies. What of this idea? Is there good in having war? 

Some historians teach World War II was good 

World War II is generally credited for pulling the United States out of the Great Depression, which began in 1929. The Depression affected virtually every country of the world. The U.S. was down and out with 14.5 percent unemployment by 1940. Due to massive military spending, the war created the “arsenal of democracy” that catapulted employment in the country and the unemployment rate tumbled down to 1.2 percent by 1944. The Gross National Product (GNP) doubled in size.

Some believe war has driven technological innovation. In times of war, societies often come together with a sense of purpose and unity. War has driven medical progress in treating traumas and diseases emerging from the battle fields. Some cite the U.S. Civil War as a great cause to enact political changes which were good, such as abolishing slavery. The list some have set forth of the benefits of war goes on, and while no one likes war, it is viewed as inevitable. 

Only the dead have seen peace 

George Santayana, a Spanish American philosopher, coined the phrase, “Only the dead have seen the end of war.” 
The quote “Only the dead have seen the end of war” is a philosophical statement that implies war is inevitable and perpetual. The quote certainly is relevant in the 21st century, since the world has not seen the end of both minor and major wars. 
What of it? Is human violence and conflict a good thing? In light of what some highly intelligent people theorize in this world, only the dead will ever know peace.

Are there benefits for peace?

Can human progress take place in the absence of war? Absolutely, peace is a necessity for societal and economic development. Without peace communities are unstable. The loss of life and violence demoralizes people. In addition, war hinders the flow of supply chains nearly everywhere.

Consider the loss of life during wars; the greatest loss is among young men and women. Each person lost could have been someone like Einstein, Mozart, or some other leader in a hundred fields of study. These young minds are not alive to innovate and create and build stable families. 

Is innovation only possible when people are fighting one another as has been proposed by some intellectuals? It almost approaches imbecility to ask such a question. Think of all the inventions which drive the modern economy today which were not a result of war. The Wright brothers didn’t invent the airplane for the military. Henry Ford and many others brought the car into existence for consumers; although his company did later develop military vehicles. Edison invented the light bulb to enhance the lives of customers. The laptop computer was developed for mass marketing to people around the world.

God allowed ancient Israel to war with the tribes of the Canaanites, but it was not His original intent. He intended to fight for them, but they did not believe God (Deuteronomy 1:30, 32-33). “I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you” (Exodus 23:27-28).

Why does the human mind think war is good?

The intellectuals and wise of this world simply do not think correctly. Man relies on his own faulty human reasoning, and it is often wrong. Notice what the apostle Paul said when he addressed the Corinthians: “However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing” (1 Corinthians 2:6).

Isaiah 59:8 states, “The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace.”

A mind which believes war is good needs to be dramatically changed. The cause for war is because of man’s violent human nature. The hearts of people will be changed. James the apostle wrote, “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” (James 4:1).

James is saying the cause of war and fighting comes from within a person. No one will see peace unless man’s nature is changed. God purpose is to instill in humankind a new nature and heart: He said, “I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (Jeremiah 31:33). 

This will be the mindset for all people in the Kingdom of God, and it will create an environment and a world living and thriving in peace. In the Kingdom established by Jesus Christ, the people of the earth will obey and live by God’s laws based on loving Him and their neighbor—just what God’s people are striving for now! 

Micah 4:3-4 gives us encouragement for the future: “He shall judge between many peoples, and rebuke strong nations afar off; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.”

This is my Perspective.