28.10.03
Politics: Firstly, I think that this speaks for itself. To add one germane comment, though, I will quote John Adams, writing in a letter to a fellow revolutionary, ca. 1772 (quote courtesy of Wisdomquotes.com):
I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.
Of course, he was trying to bequeath to future generations peace, justice and freedom (inextricably linked, methinks), just as those who prosecute today's war on terror are. He was also warning future generations to be wary of such a threat, in that those disciplines he mentions are foundations for politics and war, and can be used to discipline the mind toward critical thought, necessary in any endeavour. For, of course, in history there has always been someone whose lust for power overpowered his respect for the rights of others; how else can one explain war? This is what causes men to take up arms and fight; they feel that their rights are violated and that they have no redress through non-violent channels, so they seek redress through force. Unfortunate though it may be, Plato (or the original source) was right when he said "Only the dead have seen the end of war".
Ryan
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