The Moral Equivalent Of War Summary

In “The Moral Equivalent of War,” William James explores the reasons behind the existence of war. A self-identifying pacifist, he proposes an alternative solution: “[an enlistment] against Nature,” (1291), which retains the virtues of a war but prevents its pains and sufferings. James also compares the differing perspectives of utopias: militarism and pacifism while identifying flaws in each of them. Militarism perceives war as a preservation technique for ideals, patriotism, courage, and other merit of the like. James refers to militarist General Homer Lea’s “The Valor of Ignorance,” which argues that nations remain in a state of either growth or decline, and without a strong “Caesar” (1286) to keep the nation unified, the nation will disintegrate.