Comments on: Have we lost our taste for war?

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:15:19 +0000

Matt, with each post I am liking you more and more…and bless you for your statement on critical thinking, I have been trying to impress that on a great many people and though it seems that it should have that effect, so far most ideologically driven people I have met have a severe block that prevents them from applying critical thinking to their beliefs. I once had a philosophy teacher actually tell me that the worst thing ever done to philosophy and ethics was Aristotle’s application of logical thought. I just about fell over when she said it too. She believed this to be the downfall of western civilization.

Anyways, I agree, the best route to end war and violence has more to do with education than better soldiers and better weapons. I think even more prudent than education is financial stability. If we could end poverty, the reasons for many conflicts may not change, but the desperation and anger that drives them to war may be removed. More crime and conflict is focused where economic disparity and poverty is at it’s greatest. Education can help fix this, but finding a financial fix will be the actual solution.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:03:04 +0000

I don’t use the word “propaganda” with its negative connotation. I only use it as a definition of the dissemination of information to inspire social change. I shouldn’t have used such a demonized term.

By: Rich

Rich — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:01:03 +0000

Matt,

I agree that we have drifted away from the ideology of the past that made it possible for us to win the early wars in Europe. Our Commander in Chief made this very clear when he stated that he did not like to use words like “Victory”. If you can’t use a word like victory, then how can you possibly use a simpler word like “Win”?

I find it very interesting that you mention the best way to combat ideologies is with propaganda. Sounds strangley like something going on within our own borders…

Rich