ESSAY
The Nature of War and Peace: A Reflection on Human Conflict and Identity
“The only way to deal with fear is to face it head on.” — Yasser Arafat
If you read any book about history, you will end up with a general impression that humans can’t live in peace. I always look back at the civilizations of Sumer and Egypt, which began their history before 3000 BC. Since then, history has been nothing more than a series of endless wars. In the period between 1740 and 1897, Europe alone witnessed nearly 230 wars and revolutions on its territory, to the point that countries were almost on the verge of bankruptcy due to their military spending. The closest example to this is the conflict we are witnessing now between Palestine and Israel. Therefore, I believe it is time to look at our true nature of loving war.
From the primordial depths of our being, where selfish genes clamor for replication, arises the primal urge for conflict. Driven by an insatiable hunger for survival, we claw and scrape for the resources that sustain us. When others encroach upon our domain, threatening our very existence, the drums of war thunder with unyielding resolve.
Throughout the annals of history, countless battles have been waged, their roots entwined with the lust for dominion. Lands are seized, empires forged, and wealth amassed in a ruthless scramble for supremacy. Insults fester, igniting the flames of vengeance, as nations seek to reclaim their tarnished honor.
But war is not merely a contest for material gain. It is a battle for identity, a desperate struggle to define ourselves against the backdrop of the Other. Ethnic loyalties flare, nationalistic fervor burns bright, and religious zealotry blinds us to the commonalities that bind us together.
In the crucible of conflict, we cling to our tribal affiliations, finding solace in the shared symbols and beliefs that bind us to our kin. We celebrate our nationality, our skin color, and our faith, erecting barriers that divide us from those who are different.
The problem lies not in our pride in who we are, but in the contempt we harbor for those who are not. When we define ourselves solely by our membership in a particular group, we create an inevitable sense of competition and animosity towards those who fall outside our narrow definition of belonging.
This divisive mindset breeds a mentality that classifies humans as either “us” or “them,” creating a fertile ground for conflict. Throughout history, countless clashes have erupted between groups with differing identities, from the Crusades to the present day.
War: A poison that seeps into the human psyche, corrupting and controlling us
War, a primeval blight that compels us to slay our own kind under countless guises, yet remains murder in its core, regardless of the moniker bestowed upon it. It wrenches us from the embrace of peace and love, plunging our hearts into the abyss of hatred, a darkness that devours our very essence, transforming us into grotesque parodies of our former selves.
War is a cataclysm that lays waste to entire worlds, leaving behind naught but smoldering ruins and ashes. It is a ruthless thief who pilfers our innocence, our loved ones, and our very futures.
Yet, war is also a choice. We stand at a crossroads, with the power to embrace conflict or to forge a path toward lasting peace. We can choose to construct a brighter future or to tear down all that we have built.
The decision lies within our grasp. Will we succumb to the allure of destruction, or will we summon the courage to choose a different path? The fate of our world hangs in the balance.
We were not forged in the fires of strife, nor can we attain tranquility through bloodshed. We are trapped in a maddening vortex, endlessly slaying one another until our humanity is stripped away, leaving behind mere husks consumed by animosity and wrath, blinded by dogma and deaf to the cries of kinship that bind us all as children of the same Earth.
The choice lies before us, stark and unforgiving. Will we continue down this path of self-destruction, or will we seize the fleeting opportunity to forge a future where our children can flourish untainted by the horrors of war? A future where all may live in freedom, dignity, and security.
I know not how we shall achieve this lofty ideal, for the road ahead is fraught with peril and temptation. But I do know that it is possible, for it is etched within the very fabric of our being. Not all are capable of embracing such freedom, for limitations bind us all. War is not merely the act of taking life, but the embodiment of hatred, cruelty, and self-interest.
Let those who can choose peace, freedom, and love for all creation. Do not inflict evil upon others, regardless of the perceived justification. Embrace all ideas and individuals, no matter how divergent they may seem. Do not arrogantly assume the role of judge, for we are all flawed and imperfect. Let us strive to create a better world for ourselves and for those who come after us.
We are all human beings, brothers and sisters united by a common destiny. Hatred is not essential for our survival. And even if we were to cling to such darkness, could we truly hope for eternal existence?
