The Philosophy of War - Part 1 - Heraclitus On Nature

The Philosophy of War thinks about War.

WHAT IS WAR? Set to the D-Day Landings at Normandy on June 6 1944, Part 1 focuses on this question and the views of the pre-Socratic philosopher Heraclitus. The Ancient Greek was one of world's first natural scientists, trying to understand the ways of the world in terms of its law-like, physical properties. Famous for his idea that one cannot step twice into the same river, his idea that war is the nature of reality anticipates the modern physics and evolutionary biology. The insight of the thinker once known as the "dark one" could not have been more bright.

Part 1 ends with the beginnings of an introduction to Carl von Clausewitz's theory of war, contained in his book On War. He thought that War is the continuation of politics by other means. It is both a battle of wills and a trial of strength.

See Part 2 here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ni-KDQORaQ

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[slonamu]

The only thing the US warmongers have not understood is there is always a time when you face a stronger opponent.

[LOULOUBIO]

@IonicParticle well it's all about how open your mind body and soul is to understand what these giants where talking about....how deep inside you have actually gone to actually see truth...nothing to do with right or wrong ,but of your individual or as you say personal perceptions.....we are all opening soon...

[IonicParticle]

@LOULOUBIO I definitely agree! Many people misinterpret Heraclitus and jump to the wrong conclusions because they have not considered all of the fragments that we have available as a whole. They pick and choose which fragment or quote fits their personal interpretation.

[IonicParticle]

(continued....) So, is Heraclitus advocating war and violence or not? Another user below, LOULOUBIO, suggests that H is talking about INNER conflict, not about conflict between individuals. I think that this is a very valid interpretation when we take into account Fragment 43. H is saying that we are composed of internal tensions and conflicts, not that we should kill or murder each other. The understanding of and harmony between these internal tensions is what he is seeking, not warfare. 2 of 2

[IonicParticle]

I think that this video jumps to the wrong conclusion concerning Heraclitus' view on "war and conflict". Many people interpret H as advocating or endorsing violent conflict and warfare. BUT, when we take into consideration other fragments, a different view can emerge. Consider Fragment 43: "One must quench violence quicker than a blazing fire". That does not seemt o be an endorsement of warfare or violence, but quite the opposite. 1 of 2

[IonicParticle]

@PastaDestroyer I am not sure that Heraclitus believed in "free will" or in the existence of the "soul", as these concepts are generally understood in most philosophies or religions. I also think that he would seriously object to the idea that human beings "aren't of nature like the rest of the universe" (as you put it). He would probably argue that humanity is not at all separate from the natural world and that we are not in any way "special" or "unique".

[Requiemxtoxinnocence]

three types of war philosophy

pacifism

realism

just war

I'm wondering if there are any others. The one truth that remains in war, is that there must be a means to its ends.

[1theforest]

I hate War because im not a socio-path.

[LOULOUBIO]

he is talking about the inner war,the inner conflict,which we externalized...you are your own enemy...i am my own enemy.nothing to do with darwin... i'm greek

[GambitFox79]

@definemaybe

Haha I know what you mean. Have you heard of the Art of Peace by Morei Ueshiba? He philosophized that conflict is created when energy clashes with another form of energy to overpower it. He believed that a person could actually absorb, re-direct, and finally neutralize aggressive energy. If done, the situation wouldn't have the energy needed for conflict. To him, this was the highest form of the warrior. He went on to create the martial art 'Aikido'--which absorbs strikes.