The Perpetual Flux: War and Peace as Fundamental States of Existence

War and Peace are not merely historical epochs or political conditions; they are profound states of existence that define human experience, individually and collectively. From the clamour of battlefields to the quietude of flourishing societies, humanity perpetually navigates the dynamic interplay between these two poles. This article explores how War and Peace manifest as fundamental modes of being, subject to constant change, deeply intertwined with the cycles of Life and Death, and integral to our understanding of the human condition as illuminated by the enduring wisdom found within the Great Books of the Western World.

A Constant Oscillation: Defining Our Reality

At its core, human existence is a narrative woven from threads of conflict and harmony. To view War and Peace as states is to recognize them as more than mere events; they are pervasive conditions that shape our consciousness, our institutions, and our very understanding of ourselves. They represent two fundamental ways in which the world, and our place within it, can be organized—or disorganized. This perspective challenges us to look beyond the superficial manifestations of conflict and cooperation and delve into their deeper philosophical roots.

War: The Primal State of Contention

For many thinkers throughout history, war, or at least the potential for it, has been seen as an intrinsic aspect of existence. Heraclitus famously declared, "War is the father of all things," suggesting that conflict and opposition are the driving forces of creation and change. This isn't merely about armed conflict, but a broader concept of struggle, competition, and the clash of wills.

  • The State of Nature: Thomas Hobbes, in his Leviathan, posited a "state of nature" where human life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short" due to a "war of every man against every man." Here, war is the default state in the absence of a sovereign power, a constant threat rooted in human appetites and fear. This perspective highlights the fragility of peace and the ever-present shadow of conflict.
  • The Struggle for Life and Death: War, in its most brutal form, directly confronts Life and Death. It is the ultimate arbiter, forcing individuals and societies to face their mortality and to fight for their survival. From the epic struggles depicted in Homer's Iliad to the strategic analyses of Thucydides, the state of war is a crucible where courage, sacrifice, and the raw will to live are tested against the specter of oblivion.

(Image: A detailed classical oil painting depicting a scene from ancient mythology where figures representing discord and harmony are in a dynamic struggle, with one figure reaching for a broken sword while another holds an olive branch, all set against a backdrop of a transitioning landscape from ruins to fertile fields, symbolizing the constant shift between war and peace.)

Peace: The Aspiration for Order and Flourishing

If war represents discord, peace embodies order, tranquility, and the conditions necessary for human flourishing. Yet, peace is rarely a passive absence of conflict; it is often an active state that must be cultivated, defended, and re-established.

  • Peace as Tranquillity of Order: St. Augustine, in City of God, defined peace as "the tranquility of order." This suggests that true peace is not merely the cessation of hostilities but a state where all things are in their proper place, guided by justice and divine law. It is an ordered harmony, allowing for growth, creativity, and spiritual development.
  • The Ideal State and the Good Life: Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle explored the concept of the ideal state where justice reigns, and citizens can achieve the "good life." For them, peace was a prerequisite for ethical living and the pursuit of virtue. The very structure of a just society is designed to mitigate conflict and promote a lasting state of harmony.
  • Achieved or Fleeting? The Great Books often present peace as an ideal, a goal to strive for, rather than a natural default. Kant's vision of "Perpetual Peace" outlines a path through republican constitutions and international cooperation, acknowledging that lasting peace requires conscious effort and a fundamental change in human interaction.

The Interplay of Change: From One State to Another

The most compelling aspect of War and Peace as states of existence is their dynamic and often cyclical relationship. They are not static endpoints but phases in an ongoing process of change.

Characteristic War as a State Peace as a State
Primary Mode Conflict, Disruption, Struggle Harmony, Order, Stability
Driving Force Competition, Fear, Power Justice, Cooperation, Reason
Impact on Life Loss, Survival, Heroism Growth, Flourishing, Culture
Typical Outcome Destruction, Reordering Development, Preservation
Nature of Change Rapid, Violent, Transformative Gradual, Constructive, Evolutionary

This table illustrates that the transition between these states is often driven by internal and external forces. A state of peace can erode due to injustice or ambition, leading to war. Conversely, the exhaustion and devastation of war can compel societies to seek peace, initiating a period of reconstruction and change. The very nature of political and social life is this constant negotiation between these two fundamental states.

The Individual and the Collective: Mirroring the States

These states of existence are not solely external phenomena; they resonate within the human soul. An individual can experience inner turmoil and conflict—a personal "war"—or achieve a state of inner peace and tranquility.

  • Inner Conflict: Philosophical traditions, from ancient Stoicism to modern psychology, recognize the internal struggles that mirror external wars. The battle against one's own passions, fears, or irrational impulses is a personal state of war.
  • Inner Peace: Conversely, achieving self-mastery, wisdom, and contentment represents a state of inner peace, a personal "tranquility of order" that can profoundly influence one's interactions with the external world.

The collective state of a society often reflects the aggregate of these individual conditions. A society riddled with internal strife and injustice is more prone to external conflict, whereas a society that cultivates inner peace and ethical conduct among its citizens stands a better chance of maintaining a state of communal peace.

Conclusion: The Enduring Philosophical Inquiry

The exploration of War and Peace as states of existence is a timeless philosophical endeavor. It forces us to confront the deepest questions about human nature, societal organization, and the very purpose of our lives. From the ancient Greeks who grappled with the inevitability of conflict to Enlightenment thinkers who sought pathways to lasting peace, the Great Books of the Western World continually remind us that humanity is forever poised on the edge of these two profound conditions. The change from one state to another is a perpetual motion, shaping our history and our future, always entailing the profound considerations of Life and Death that define our transient existence.

The journey through these states is our shared human story, an ongoing testament to our capacity for both destruction and creation, and our eternal quest for meaning amidst the flux.

Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: ""Hobbes State of Nature Explained""

Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: ""Augustine City of God Peace""

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