Dialectics of War as a Natural Phenomenon: Existential Perspective


Front cover of Conatus 8, no. 2
Published: Dec 31, 2023
Keywords:
war dialectics violence natural phenomenon human existence conflict peace
Purissima Emelda Egbekpalu
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4886-4679
Paschal Onyi Oguno
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3514-296X
Princewill Iheanyi Alozie
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0089-1900
Abstract

Due to natural processes of movements of opposites that interact with one another in equal forces, the universe is naturally considered an arena of conflicts. As the law of the universe continues to maintain everything in motion, each matter in the ecosystem strives to protect itself in given existential struggles within necessary conflicts. Therefore, the fundamental law of nature is the protection of life (self-preservation) which is often realized through self-defence. It then explains why humans engage themselves in conflicts; not necessarily to bring peace but to survive and maintain themselves in existence. Hence, war is motivated by the innate drive for self-defence and maintenance of self in existence guided by a natural instinct for survival. From conception to death, humans continue to struggle for survival and that entails overcoming conflicts and adversities of life. Thus, war can be considered as having a genetic foundation. This is evidenced in the works of evolutionary theorists. The Darwinian ethological theory tenaciously holds that humans, just like other organisms, struggle to survive, but this is influenced by natural selection which favours the stronger species against the weaker ones. While the stronger ones pass on their inheritable genes to the next generation for maintenance of their species in existence, the weaker ones die off. Hence, the survival of the fittest. This position was very much supported by the Malthusian theory of over-population alert against the limited human resources which demonstrates the constant fight for food in order to survive. The Nietzschean Superman, Marxian class struggle, Heraclitan notion of change, and so on, all cling to the idea that the universe is a violent arena. Consequently, the protection of life has an important moral value. By implication, self-defence is right and justified even if it involves war. Therefore, it is ethical to push through; to defeat the adversary.

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Author Biographies
Purissima Emelda Egbekpalu, Madonna University, Nigeria

Purissima Emelda Egbekpalu, PhD is a bonafide member of the Sisters of Jesus  the  Saviour,  Nigeria. She is a Professor of Philosophy and currently the Dean of the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences in  Madonna  University,  Nigeria  and  a visiting professor  at  Bigard  Memorial  Seminary,  Enugu  in  Nigeria.  She holds her PhD in Philosophy and MSc in Psychology. Her passion to understand the meaning of  life made  her  to  venture  into  existential philosophy  and  developmental  psychology.  These vested  interests  in philosophy  and  human  development  motivate  her  always  anew  to search  for  and  highlight  the  concrete  meaning  of  human  existence. These too prove her strong quest for logotherapy (Certificate obtained from Viktor Frankl Institute, Israel) and engagement in concrete existential issues of life that led to her authorship of works on existentialism and logotherapy. She has also contributed to many book chapters, proceedings and has many journal articles to her name. She has attended and presented papers  at various  local  and  international conferences  and  has  as  well-organized  workshops  and  seminars  at various  levels  and  edited  some  works.  She belongs  to  professional bodies   of   Association   of   Professional   Philosophers   of   Nigeria (APPON),   International   Society for   the   Study   of   Behavioural Development (ISSBD), International Society of Research on Edeh’s Philosophy and Theology (ISREPAT), Edeh’s Philosophy of Thought and Action    (EPTAISM),    Kierkegaardian    Scholars    of    Nigeria (SKIASON), SKS (Soeren Kierkegaard Society), USA, Nigerian Psychological Association (NPA),  Association  of  Developmental  Psychologists  (NADP). She is  the Founder and Director  of  ‘Philosophy  Clinic’ in  Madonna  University, a  novel practical  paradigm  to  philosophy  with  logo-existential  perspective basically from Franklian and Kierkegaardian dimensions for Meaning-Centred  counselling rooted  in  creative  and  critical  reasoning  via purposeful   navigation   through   challenges   of   existence   towards authenticity of life . She is a polyglot and has received many awards from various bodies especially for academic diligence and service to the community.

Paschal Onyi Oguno, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Nigeria

Paschal Onyi Oguno, PhD is a Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence in faculty of Law, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), former Anambra state University. Apart from being the former Dean of the faculty, he has dedicatedly served the University in various capacities. He was a member of the University Governing Council, a member of the University Senate, the Director of Part Time and Weekend Programme, the Director of International Linkages and Partnership. His distinguished eloquence has kept him as the University Orator for many years till date. He is also a legal practitioner, Notary Public, a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. His sense of professionalism gained him belongingness to various professional bodies such as Nigerian Barr Association (NBA), American Barr Association (ABA), Nigerian Association of Law Teachers (NALT), International Lawyers’ Association (ILA). He is also a member of Rotary International and Knight of Columbus (K of C). He is a Fellow of Nigerian Institute of International Trade, Nigerian Institute of Public management and Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. He serves too as a visiting Professor in the Faculty of law, Madonna University and Tennessee State, USA. Currently, he is the legal adviser of Philosophy Clinic of Madonna University. He has very many scholarly articles and other publications to his name. He has equally been honoured with many awards for academic diligence and recognized in various sectors of human life especially in service to the community.

Princewill Iheanyi Alozie, Madonna University, Nigeria

Prof. Princewill Iheanyi Alozie, PhD is a Professor of Philosophy in Madonna University, Nigeria. He also has Masters Degree in Law (LLM), Masters Degree (Russian language Translation), National Certificate of Education (NCE) in History and Geography. He has taught in many Universities both within and outside Nigeria. His areas of interest include Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Economics and Social sciences, Logic and Philosophy of Mathematics, Philosophy of Medicine, Law, Philosophy of Law, Environmental ethics, and Education. He is currently the President of Philosophy Clinic in Madonna University. He has served as National Universities Accreditaion Team member as well as the Chairman of Senate Business Committee of Lagos State University. 

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