Volume 14, 2018
History of Philosophy
Richard Feist
Pages 35-39
Warfare and Ethics
Toward the Idea of War’s Influence on Philosophy
I argue that warfare, typically seen as essentially and solely destructive, should be seen as essentially destructive, but accidentally creative. This view of war is then applied to the relationship between philosophy (ethics) and warfare. The argument is made that the nature of warfare has been an influence on philosophy. This argument is made by considering the Athenian experience in the conflict at Delium where Socrates is known to have taken part.