PHILOSOPHY OF WAR

Snap, crackle, pop!  Human beings have been going to war for as long as we have recorded history, from the moment we decided that conflict was acceptable, right up to the modern day.  But what is war?  Is it just conflict, or an essential part of who we are?  Is war a glorious display of virtue, or an ugly stain upon our species? Can was be justified, or is it just state-sanctioned murder of 'the other side'?  In this course we look at five major ways that war has been justified, reflecting on the thirst for resources to the demands to do the 'right thing'! Michael Couch has been teaching community education courses for over a decade. With an academic background in Philosophy, Classical Studies, Education and History, Michael recently completed his PhD in the History of Philosophy of Education in New Zealand. He enjoys learning new topics and incorporates passion and wry humour into all the courses he teaches.