Thucydides: Origin of War

The Peloponnesian War and the relationships between warfare and human nature are two major topics that Thucydides sheds light on. The coherence of Thucydides' addresses and research is demonstrated by the fact that we can still understand wars by using his capacity to analyze and interpret them broadly as a case in point. The speech of the Athenians in the book prompts us to consider the underlying causes of people's propensity to go to war incorrectly as well as the consequences of acting hastily. Athens, on the other hand, defines the "wrong way" during its speech and follows it regardless of its own actions, pursuing a successful expansionist policy because of its ability to act quickly. This demonstrates how their words and deeds are inconsistent, which renders their justifications inadequate. This paradox raises significant issues regarding the principles that underpin the concept of right and wrong, including human nature's tendency toward self-interest, ambition, and arrogance.

Though political power, territorial disputes, resource shortages, and occasionally even economic or religious motives are the main causes of state battle, Thucydides' account of the Peloponnesian war's outbreak, which was sparked by Lacedaemonian's fear of Athens' growing power (Thucydides, 1963), is a reflection of this particular circumstance. Though these are the outward justifications, the fundamental cause of war is actually human nature, which leads to emotional behavior and an inability to restrain self-serving impulses. State leaders who act in accordance with their interests forfeit their ability to see things objectively lose their capacity to understand the circumstances, and act solely in accordance with their goals and desires. People are psychologically impacted by the leaders' manipulations, and over time, these emotions and behaviors become haughtiness and apathy. This leads to situations in which countries act quickly and selfishly, instead of looking for peaceful solutions. The quick action and decision-making of the Athenians, who worked hard and dedicated themselves to success and goals, was evidently one of the reasons behind their rapid strengthening (Thucydides, 1963); however, in times of war, many other people's lives are impacted in addition to those of the decision-makers. Instead of prematurely starting a war out of a desire for an immediate win, the tiniest peace solutions ought to be taken into account before making this decision.

People struggle to put aside their personal viewpoints and evaluate events solely rationally and realistically while explaining their conduct. Similar to Euthyphro, who contended in the discussion with Socrates that his own actions define what is piousness (Plato, 2002). Although everyone has a different concept of religion and irreligious and what is right and wrong according to their personal perspectives and beliefs, the situation was far worse for the Athenians. The speech of the Athenians was accurate; in fact, people make snap decisions and go to battle swiftly both in the past and in the present. The first thing they are supposed to do is look for a solution, which they ought to do after learning what caused the conflict. Even if the Athenians insisted that they had done the same (Thucydides, 1963), in reality, they had not; instead, they had wreaked havoc by acting hastily, particularly to assert their dominance over the sea. Thus, this speech suggests that they are attempting to trick people by using word games. These days, this issue comes from people acting in their own best interests, ignoring the facts, covering up their misdeeds, and acting as though they are aware of the whole story. They pretend to be someone else because of their aspirations and self-serving attitudes, and they find it incomprehensible that other people see this. As long as our beliefs and claims are supported by our behavior, they are important.

Wars reflect the fundamental reality of humanity. Humans are naturally inclined to want to live happy lives, but different people have different ideas about what happiness is. The Athenians defined pleasure as dominating and obtaining power, while for the Lacedaemonians it meant living without a state stronger than themselves. Whatever one's definition of fact, goals for life, and perspective on events, regardless of one's race, religion, or language, killing innocent people and children for people's own selfish ends is abhorrent. Killing innocent people and innocent children because of one's own ambitions and aspirations cannot be justified, notwithstanding differences in definitions and interpretations. For this reason, the real war that will never end in the past, present, and future is the reckoning that a person has with his inner self. Individuals who behave in accordance with their own goals and interests are blind to reality and what is actually right; all they can hear is the voice of the monster they have created within themselves. The world will become a more beautiful place and a haven of hope when more people succeed in overcoming internal conflict.

References:

Plato. (2002). Five Dialogues; Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo. Hackett Publishing Company, Inc.

Thucydides. (1963). History of the Peloponnesian War. (R. Warner, Trans.) Penguin Classics.