Sound Bite
In a snappily-written discussion, Moseley presents an interdisciplinary framework for understanding warÃ??'s nature and causation. Considering war from all anglesÃ??'Christian, Marxist, Platonic, behavioralist, economic, psychological, and biologicalÃ??'he argues that market-based societies should tend to foster cooperation more than combat.
About the Author
Dr. Moseley was an Assistant Professor for the University of Evansville (1996-2000) teaching Ethics, British History, and Economics. He earned his doctorate from the University of Edinburgh in 1997 and an MA in Economics from York University, Ontario in 1993. He has published several introductory essays on war and political philosophy with the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy and has critical articles with the journals Peace and Change and Moral Musings; he also contributes articles to the Foundation for Economic Education's Ideas for Liberty. He has lectured on the philosophy and morality of war at several British Universities including for the Hayek Society at the London School of Economics. He is an active member of the Society for Applied Philosophy, recently co-convening the 2001 Annual Conference with Professor Richard Norman, the proceedings of which Ashgate [UK] will be publishing in Spring 2002 as Human Rights and Military Intervention. Dr Moseley is area editor in political philosophy for the IEP and is affiliated with the Mises Institute and with the US Society for Philosophy in a Contemporary World.
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About the Book
"War's origins are complex: they are found in the nebulous systems of thoughts generated in cultures over time. But while reason and explication can unravel those origins-and explain why man wages war-the task of abolishing...
"War's origins are complex: they are found in the nebulous systems of thoughts generated in cultures over time. But while reason and explication can unravel those origins-and explain why man wages war-the task of abolishing war can never be completed by reason alone.The unfolding philosophy of war is much more complex than asserting that 'man is free to choose war and therefore he is free to not choose war.' We need to explore the causal relationships between his nature and his thinking, and in doing so we need to explore the realms of ideas that motivate and restrain him." The author presents a unique interdisciplinary framework for understanding war's nature and causation, examining biological and anthropological theories as well as relating traditional philosophical positions to war. This book is distinctive in producing a coherent theory of war that goes beyond the usual analyses and explanations generated in academic sub-disciplines. The range of philosophical analysis is broad and where appropriate the author applies his philosophical outline to particular conflicts such as the Vietnam War and the Thirty Years War.
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CHAPTER ONE: Why a Philosophy of War? CHAPTER TWO: Defining War Defining War Contextual Understanding CHAPTER THREE: Types of War Animal Warfare Primitive Warfare Civilized or Political Wa
CHAPTER ONE: Why a Philosophy of War? CHAPTER TWO: Defining War Defining War Contextual Understanding CHAPTER THREE: Types of War Animal Warfare Primitive Warfare Civilized or Political War Modern Warfare Nuclear Warfare Post-Modern Warfare Conclusions CHAPTER FOUR: Metaphysics and the Non-Inevitability of War War: Determinism and Materialism CHAPTER FIVE: Human Nature and War Jean-Paul SartreÃ??'s Existentialism Plato ChristianityMarxism BehaviorismConclusion CHAPTER SIX: War And Human Biology War and Instinct Self-Sacrifice Fear The Weakness of Instinctivism Aggressionism Aggressionism and Natural Selection Aggressionism and Frustration War and Inhibitions CHAPTER SEVEN: Between Biology and Culture Territorialism CompetitionCompeting Motives and Co-operation Predispositions and Motive Irrational Motives Morale: The Private and The Warrior Spirit Conclusion CHAPTER EIGHT: Culture and War Culturalism War and Culture The Persistence of Culture: Bohemia CHAPTER NINE: Unintentional War CHAPTER TEN: BETWEEN CULTURE AND REASON: Civilization and War The Nature of Civilization CHAPTER ELEVEN: Rationalism and War The Rationalist Theory of War Political Realism Descriptive Realism Prescriptive RealismThe Failure of Realism: the Vietnam War Conclusion CHAPTER TWELVE: Idealism, Metaphysical Beliefs and War Metaphysical Beliefs The Status of Ideas Metaphysical Beliefs and War Teleological theories and War Historicism EschatologyFree Will Revisited CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Epistemological Beliefs and War Epistemological and Action Epistemological Elitism Irrationalism and Faith Conclusions CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Conclusions On War And Peace Bibliography Index
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CHOICE March 2003 Vol. 40 No. 07 HUMANITIES | More »
CHOICE March 2003 Vol. 40 No. 07 HUMANITIES
The book is knowledgeable, readable, and timely. Moseley, an independent scholar, considers the definition, nature, and causes of war. War is provisionally defined as "a state of organized open-ended collective conflict." When the nature of war is examined through an analysis of various types of war, the definition stands. Three principle causes of war are considered individually: human beings' biological, social, and rational natures. These causes are rejected because they lead to determinism, reductionism, or anti-essentialism. These, in turn, are rejected because they violate the obvious. War arises only when people forsake reason and seek an irrational solution through violence. War is ultimately caused by human choice, but that choice takes place within the context of our biology, culture, and settled beliefs. People will not choose peace unless their institutions, cultural contexts, and settled beliefs change to make peace an option that is more viable than war. War upsets the stability and individualism needed for commerce and human well-being. Because trade is mutually satisfying, trading partners do not go to war. Fostering free international trade diminishes the likelihood of war and promotes human well-being. Although debatable, these arguments are worthy of consideration. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels.
R. Werner, Hamilton College
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Pages 280
Year: 2002
LC Classification: B105.W3 M67
Dewey code: 355.02'01
BISAC: HIS027000
BISAC: TEC025000
Soft Cover
ISBN: 978-1-892941-94-7
Price: USD 21.95
Hard Cover
ISBN: 978-1-892941-95-4
Price: USD 28.95
eBook
ISBN: 978-0-87586-183-8
Price: USD 21.95
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