James Boswell On War Analysis

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Since the dawn of time, man has battled one another over ludicrous reasons. Weather over a querulous argument between leaders, a childish act of claiming land, or through gaining total dominance over the human race. In essence, war has in some way, shape, or form distraught or affected humankind. Pompous people find war to be heroic, claiming that its ‘pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war’ (James Boswell); however, war is without a doubt, intensely irrational and not morally justifiable. Moreover, war is not morally justifiable. Although war may be considered a necessity; however, war inevitably ends up with numerous casualties. Its been stated and restated through multiple people and philosophers that war brings forth honor and glory. …show more content…
Countless times, the suggested sole purpose for war was either for territorial issues or for a gain in freedom. In the end however, the purpose of the majority of wars was due to a childish disagreement or quarrel. James Boswell, author of “On War”, has mentioned multiple times that war is without a doubt irrational and its purpose is often times foolish. For example, according to James Boswell, he states “That these armies were sometimes led with toilsome expedition over vast tracts of land, sometimes into ships, and obliged to endure tedious, unhealthy, and perilous voyages; and that the purpose of all this toil and danger was not to obtain an comfort or pleasure, but to be in a situation to encounter other armies…” In essence, Boswell explains that the purpose of war was not seen as of importance, but as a childish reason. In addition, Boswell also notes that because of this idiotic reason for war, it has induced men to die, to experience danger, and “to endure tedious, unhealthy, and perilous voyages.” Thus, the purpose of war is for an idiotic reason rather than a rational one. In which, this justifies that war is not morally