The Necessity of Courage in War and Necessity and Contingency

The Unyielding Spirit: Why Courage is Indispensable in the Crucible of War

A Philosophical Imperative

In the unforgiving theatre of war, where the fabric of human existence is tested to its limits, courage emerges not merely as a commendable virtue but as an absolute philosophical necessity. This article asserts that courage, far from being a contingent attribute that may or may not appear, is the bedrock upon which the possibility of ordered action, the fulfillment of duty, and the very pursuit of a just war and peace are built. Drawing upon the enduring insights of the Great Books of the Western World, we explore how courage underpins the moral and practical dimensions of conflict, transforming fear into resolve and individual will into collective strength.

Defining Courage in the Crucible of Conflict

What precisely is courage when faced with the existential threat of war? It is not merely the absence of fear, nor is it a reckless disregard for danger. As illuminated by ancient Greek philosophers like Plato in Laches and Aristotle in Nicomachean Ethics, true courage (ἀνδρεία, andreia) is a mean between rashness and cowardice. It is the intelligent and resolute perseverance in the face of fear, pain, and death, driven by a rational understanding of what is noble and just.

• Plato's Perspective: For Plato, courage is a form of knowledge – the knowledge of what is truly to be feared and what is not. It is a virtue tied to the spirited part of the soul, disciplined by reason.
• Aristotle's View: Aristotle positions courage as a moral virtue, a habit of choosing the right action in the face of danger for the sake of the noble. The courageous person fears what is genuinely fearful but endures it as reason prescribes.

In war, this translates into the soldier who, despite profound terror, holds their ground, executes orders, and protects their comrades. It is the leader who makes difficult decisions under duress, prioritizing the greater good over personal safety.

The Philosophical Necessity of Courage

The argument for courage's necessity in war stems from several philosophical observations:

1. Survival and Self-Preservation: Without courage, the will to survive, both individually and collectively, falters. A populace or an army devoid of courage cannot defend itself against aggression, inevitably leading to subjugation or annihilation. This is a fundamental, almost biological, necessity for any group facing an existential threat.
2. Maintaining Moral Order: War inherently challenges moral norms. Courage provides the fortitude to uphold principles, resist atrocities, and act with humanity even amidst inhumanity. It is the virtue that allows for the possibility of a "just war" to be fought justly.
3. Fulfillment of Duty: Military service, by its nature, involves duty – to one's comrades, one's nation, and the principles one defends. Courage is the enabling virtue for fulfilling these often perilous duties. Without it, duty becomes an empty promise, a burden too heavy to bear.
4. Strategic Efficacy: From Sun Tzu to Clausewitz, military strategists implicitly or explicitly acknowledge courage as a critical factor in victory. A courageous army is more resilient, more adaptable, and more formidable. Its presence can turn the tide of battle, while its absence guarantees defeat.

(Image: A detailed classical Greek frieze depicting a line of hoplites, their faces resolute and determined, holding their shields in formation, symbolizing collective courage and discipline in the face of an unseen adversary.)

Courage as a Civic and Moral Duty

The concept of duty is inextricably linked to courage in the context of war. For ancient city-states, the defense of the polis was the highest civic duty, and courage in battle was its primary manifestation. Citizens were expected to be warrior-citizens, ready to lay down their lives for the common good.

This understanding extends beyond the battlefield. The courage to speak truth to power, to advocate for peace, or to rebuild after conflict are all extensions of this fundamental virtue, demonstrating its enduring relevance far beyond the immediate hostilities.

War, Peace, and the Paradox of Virtue

It might seem paradoxical to discuss courage in war as a pathway to peace. Yet, many philosophers and strategists argue that a nation's capacity for courageous defense can be a deterrent to aggression, thus preserving peace. Moreover, a just war, fought with courage and discipline, aims not for perpetual conflict but for the re-establishment of a just and lasting peace. The courage required to fight is often matched by the courage needed to negotiate, compromise, and forgive in the aftermath, transforming foes into potential partners for a stable future.

The Stoics, for instance, while advocating for inner tranquility, recognized the necessity of facing external dangers with fortitude, understanding that some conflicts are unavoidable. Their emphasis on virtue as the sole good would certainly encompass courage as a means to uphold one's rational nature even in the chaos of war.

Conclusion: The Enduring Imperative

From the epic tales of Homer to the meticulous analyses of military theorists, the necessity of courage in war is a recurring theme. It is the virtue that allows individuals to transcend their natural fears, embrace their duty, and collectively strive for a just resolution to conflict. Without courage, the very idea of a moral or effective engagement in war collapses, leaving only chaos and despair. As long as the specter of conflict looms, the philosophical and practical imperative for courage will remain an unyielding and indispensable element of the human condition, shaping the course of war and peace and defining the spirit of those who confront it.

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Video by: The School of Life

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