Against War

by Erasmus, John William Mackail (Introduction)

Erasmus Against War is a book written by Desiderius Erasmus, a prominent Dutch philosopher and theologian of the Renaissance era. The book is a collection of Erasmus' writings, which express his strong opposition to war and violence. Erasmus argues that war is a futile and destructive endeavor that brings only suffering and misery to humanity.The book is divided into three parts. In the first part, Erasmus provides a historical overview of the causes and consequences of war. He examines the political and economic factors that often lead to armed conflicts and the devastating effects of war on human society.In the second part, Erasmus presents a philosophical argument against war. He argues that war is morally wrong and violates the fundamental principles of Christian ethics. Erasmus also critiques the militaristic culture of his time, which glorified violence and aggression.In the third part, Erasmus offers practical solutions for promoting peace and resolving conflicts. He advocates for diplomacy, negotiation, and mutual understanding as effective ways to prevent war and promote social harmony.Overall, Erasmus Against War is a powerful and thought-provoking book that challenges readers to reconsider their attitudes towards war and violence. Erasmus' insights and arguments are still relevant today, as the world continues to grapple with the challenges of conflict and peace.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Nonfiction

100 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1907

About the author

Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus (28 October 1466 – 12 July 1536), known as Erasmus of Rotterdam, or simply Erasmus, was a Dutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, social critic, teacher, and theologian.

Erasmus was a classical scholar and wrote in a pure Latin style. Among humanists he enjoyed the sobriquet "Prince of the Humanists", and has been called "the crowning glory of the Christian humanists". Using humanist techniques for working on texts, he prepared important new Latin and Greek editions of the New Testament, which raised questions that would be influential in the Protestant Reformation and Catholic Counter-Reformation. He also wrote On Free Will, The Praise of Folly, Handbook of a Christian Knight, On Civility in Children, Copia: Foundations of the Abundant Style, Julius Exclusus, and many other works.

Erasmus lived against the backdrop of the growing European religious Reformation, but while he was critical of the abuses within the Catholic Church and called for reform, he kept his distance from Luther and Melanchthon and continued to recognise the authority of the pope, emphasizing a middle way with a deep respect for traditional faith, piety and grace, rejecting Luther's emphasis on faith alone. Erasmus remained a member of the Roman Catholic Church all his life, remaining committed to reforming the Church and its clerics' abuses from within. He also held to the Catholic doctrine of free will, which some Reformers rejected in favor of the doctrine of predestination. His middle road approach disappointed and even angered scholars in both camps.

Erasmus died suddenly in Basel in 1536 while preparing to return to Brabant, and was buried in the Basel Minster, the former cathedral of the city. A bronze statue of him was erected in his city of birth in 1622, replacing an earlier work in stone.

Reviews

[Majenta · Rating 4 out of 5]

"(but, O good Lord, what may we say happeneth well and luckily in war?)"

[Elliott Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erasmus might be the closest I ever come to time travelling. 507 years ago seems an inconceivable amount of time, such that the events of that era may as well have occurred on another planet populated by a people whos thoughts were completely removed from our anything we know here in the present. Of course, this couldn't be further from the truth but I've never felt it more obviously than in Erasmus' musings.

Against War quite simply should be enshrined into school curriculums the world over. It is such a simple premise, written so eloquently and thoroughly that it seems it should turn even the most hor headed individuals towards passivism. He presents a remarkably modern conundrum of two friends, one in debt to the other who, after a time, decides to sue his friend for not paying him back. The efforts that this involves are maliciously laid before the audiance to show that to do this would be to confirm your losses and add to them while lining the pockets of lawyers off the back of your discontent. Would it bot be better to take the money saved and split it with your friend, keeping what he owes you as recompense, thus keeping a friend and saving you both the hasstle. In this sense an unjust peace will always reep more rewards than a 'just war' .

I think we could all take a little something from that anecdote in a world so driven by money and the unscrupulous means people will go to to get hold of it. I for one certainly won't be forgetting this book in a hurry. Man was made in a form befitting of love, not of war.

[Jeremiah Lorrig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Erasmus has a wicked sharp wit and deeply analytical mind. This allows him to see and critique power structures and society in ways that force readers to think twice about their assumptions.

This does not mean that he is practical. His rhetorical flourishes are bold and dynamic. However, tearing something down, he has limited utility if you do not present a viable alternative.

Reading Erasmus is enjoyable and insightful and while I’m left with more questions than answers, I’m thankful for his out of the box thinking.

[Myhte]

for what trifling causes what tragedies of war do we stir up? For most vain titles, for childish wrath, for a wench, yea, and for causes much more scornful than these, we be inflamed to fight.

And what is now robbery was then war. And they fought then with stones, or with stakes, a little burned at the ends. A little river, a rock, or such other like thing, chancing to be between them, made an end of their battle.

[Brian Mikołajczyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Famed thinker Erasmus lays out the case against war. It is very easy to say one is against war, however Erasmus states the plights of nations and peoples like no other.
While he doesn't offer a viable solution, he does enumerate the cons of war expertly.

[Parker Samelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A compelling and stinging rebuke of the ridiculous and self destructive nature of waging war.

[Allen O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Considering this book is 500 years old, it is still so pertinent. The archaisms are delightful and the arguments strong - strong enough to remain pertinent.

Reading through, I couldn't help but pick up on the seeds of proto-Reformation and humanism. I recommend this book for its unique look into the time period (they had muskets in in the 1500s?!) as much as a varied theological critique of warfare.

[Em Chainey (Bookowski)]

Kesinlikle okunacaklardan

[Anıl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitap türkler üzerine yazılmış gibii :) kesinlikle okunması gerekiyor sadece savaş değil deliliğe övgü deki gibi bir çok toplum kesimi eleştirilmiştir.

[Umit · Rating 1 out of 5]

Zaman kaybi :-/

[Jonathan]

He had me until the final pages with all the praising of the noble Medici family.

[Kürşat Karabulut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Başlarda çok güzeldi, sonrasında din için yapılan savaşlar hakkında konuyu çok uzatması sıkıcı oldu.