War and Peace as Fundamental States of Existence: A Philosophical Inquiry

Summary: War and Peace are often perceived as mere historical events or political conditions, yet a deeper philosophical examination reveals them to be profound states of existence, shaping not only societies but the very fabric of individual reality. Drawing from the Great Books of the Western World, this article explores how these concepts are inextricably linked to change, the cycle of life and death, and the continuous dynamic that defines our being, rather than static endpoints.

Beyond Mere Events: Unpacking the Ontological Nature of War and Peace

The discourse surrounding War and Peace typically confines itself to geopolitical strategy, military history, or diplomatic efforts. While these aspects are undeniably crucial, they often obscure a more profound truth: War and Peace are not merely occurrences in existence, but fundamental states of existence themselves. They represent differing modes of being, distinct conditions of reality that profoundly influence everything from individual consciousness to the grand sweep of civilization. To understand them fully, we must move beyond the superficial and delve into their ontological roots, recognizing them as dynamic states perpetually in flux, mirroring the very pulse of life and death.

The Heraclitean Flux: War as the Progenitor of All Change

One cannot discuss the inherent dynamism of existence without acknowledging the ancient wisdom of Heraclitus. His famous dictum, "War is the father of all and king of all; some he has shown forth as gods and others as men, some he has made slaves and others free," found within the fragments of the Great Books, posits polemos (strife, war, conflict) not as a destructive aberration, but as the generative principle of the cosmos.

For Heraclitus, all things come into being through opposition and change. This perspective transforms "war" from an event into a fundamental state of being – a constant tension, a perpetual struggle that underpins reality. In this state, there is no true stasis, only the continuous interplay of forces, driving evolution and transformation. This philosophical lens compels us to see:

  • War as a Catalyst: It breaks down old orders, creating space for new ones.
  • Change as Inevitable: No state is permanent; all existence is a river, constantly flowing.
  • Balance in Opposition: The very harmony of the world arises from conflicting elements.

(Image: A detailed allegorical painting depicting a figure of Strife (Polemos) with swirling chaotic energy, giving birth to both figures of creation and destruction, with symbols of opposing forces (light/dark, order/chaos) subtly integrated into the background, reflecting Heraclitus's philosophy.)

Peace as Tranquility of Order: From Plato's Republic to Augustine's City

If war signifies a state of generative conflict, then peace, conversely, often represents a state of harmonious order. This concept is deeply explored across the Great Books. Plato, in his Republic, envisions an ideal state where justice reigns, not merely as a legal framework but as an internal balance within the soul and the city. Peace, in this sense, is the result of reason governing appetite and spirit, a tranquility born of right order.

Centuries later, Augustine, in The City of God, articulates peace as "the tranquility of order," extending it beyond individual virtue to the divine arrangement of the universe. For Augustine, true peace is not merely the absence of external conflict but the correct arrangement of things, a state where everything is in its proper place and functions according to its nature. This philosophical understanding highlights:

  • Peace as Structural Integrity: It's a condition of stability and proper alignment.
  • Order as a Prerequisite: Without a foundational order, peace is fleeting or illusory.
  • Internal and External Harmony: True peace radiates from within the individual and extends to society.

The Hobbesian Abyss: Life, Death, and the State of Nature

The starkest depiction of War and Peace as fundamental states inextricably linked to life and death comes from Thomas Hobbes's Leviathan. Hobbes famously describes the "state of nature" as a "war of every man against every man," a terrifying condition where life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." This is a state of perpetual fear, where the threat of death is omnipresent, and the flourishing of life is impossible.

For Hobbes, the primary driver for humanity to escape this brutal state of war is the fear of death and the desire for self-preservation. The social contract, leading to the formation of the sovereign state, is humanity's collective attempt to impose a state of peace, however artificial, to ensure life and avoid the constant threat of death. This illustrates:

  • War as a Threat to Existence: A state where life is precarious and death looms large.
  • Peace as a Condition for Life: A state enabling survival, security, and the possibility of human flourishing.
  • The State as Arbiter: The political entity created to transition from one state to another.

The Internal Battlefield: Personal Strife and the Quest for Inner Harmony

The philosophical exploration of War and Peace extends beyond nations and societies into the very core of individual experience. Many traditions within the Great Books, from Stoicism to existentialism, grapple with the "internal battlefield" – the constant struggle within the human soul. This is a state of internal conflict, where desires clash with reason, and impulses contend with moral imperatives.

Achieving inner peace, therefore, is not the absence of struggle, but the establishment of a harmonious state where the various faculties of the soul are rightly ordered. This often involves a form of "war" against one's own vices or illusions, leading to the "death" of an old self and the "birth" of a more authentic, integrated self. This personal change is as significant as any external conflict.

The Ever-Shifting Sands: Embracing the Dynamic Nature of Existence

Ultimately, the Great Books teach us that neither War nor Peace is a final destination. They are dynamic, interconnected states of existence, perpetually in motion. A state of peace can breed complacency, leading to internal decay or external vulnerability that eventually gives rise to new forms of conflict. Conversely, the destructive forces of war can, in their wake, create conditions ripe for new forms of peace, albeit often at a terrible cost in life and death.

This perpetual change is the defining characteristic of existence itself. To understand War and Peace is to understand the ebb and flow of being, the constant dialectic between creation and destruction, order and chaos, flourishing and decay. It calls upon us to recognize the transient nature of all states and to continually strive for the conditions that foster life and minimize unnecessary death.

Video by: The School of Life

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Conclusion: Navigating the Perpetual Dialectic

In conclusion, War and Peace are far more than historical footnotes or political ambitions; they are fundamental states of existence that define the human condition. From Heraclitus's generative strife to Augustine's tranquility of order, and Hobbes's brutal state of nature, the Great Books of the Western World provide a rich tapestry for understanding these concepts. They are intrinsically linked to the relentless process of change, the ultimate realities of life and death, and the continuous dynamic that shapes our world and ourselves. To philosophically engage with War and Peace is to engage with the very essence of what it means to be, in a world perpetually oscillating between these profound and transformative states.

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