I’ve always believed that the two greatest human failings are first religion and then warfare, this latter frequently a consequence of the former.
The Economist recently lauded a new book, “Why War” by British historian Richard Overy, who analysed why warfare has prevailed throughout human history.
Overy asserted four primary causes being first religion, followed by the pursuit of personal power, the pursuit of resources and finally, the pursuit of security.
Religious belief may on face value seem harmless and childish, but not so, for although fast fading in the west in line with increasing education, it’s essential characteristic of irrationality and dependence on faith in lieu of fact, points up a salient reality about mankind, namely that people are not robots and instead, hugely affected by emotions.
The pursuit of power, that is the desire to boss others and call the shots is a driving force in politics. Enoch Powell’s famous and true adage that all political careers end in failure provides little comfort for its victims.
Overy gloomingly concluded that if warfare has a very long human history, it also has a future.
If that’s true, then if the wasted application of so much human resources into warfare technology continues then humanity may itself prove to have no future.
For the record I made exactly the same points in my 2020 novella “Heaven Sent”.
10 Comments
In the mists of time will the human race have occupied this planet for little more than a very brief period of its history. Seems likely.
It’s so good to have you back, with your sensibility and humor.
Mmmm…good thoughts.
Seems we are in the last stages of failings for those presently in charge; namely their own security……the french have shown us how to deal with them…
Perhaps Zelensky can join Arden on the speaking circuit with other failed politicians. Isnt it time governments stopped sponsoring tickets to these Trojan horses sideshows?
The game is almost up for Netanyahu also….thank god, if there is one
The pursuit of power seems to be the worst with over one hundred million non combatants killed in the last century alone (Mao, Stalin, Hitler etc.). Also interesting to note that they seemed all atheists.
But arguably Communism is as much a matter of faith as much as every other religion. And what was National Socialism if not a gigantic cult. As with religion, both were readily manipulated by a certain personality type to promote a personal grab for power. If Communism or National Socialism had not been around to enable Mao or Stalin or Hitler, maybe a lot of lives would have been saved. Incidentally, Hitler is recognised by history as having strong ties to Catholicism.
In 2011 psychologist / linguist Steven Pinker published a title The Better Angels of our Nature: Why Violence has Declined. He claims that If you get your view of the world from the news, you’re always going to think that we’re living in violent times. That’s an example of “availability bias”. In my opinion he over-estimates humanities ability to control their impulses.
gene reset
Don’t know about the Democrat raison d’etre SB however Biden has reminded America of democracy by understanding his reflection. Rare occurence in history; no human failing there.
Hope the outcome is sensible, for us.
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