Combining Philosophers

Ideas for William Shakespeare, Martha Nussbaum and Laozi (Lao Tzu)

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3 ideas

25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / b. Justice in war
Our obedience to the king erases any crimes we commit for him [Shakespeare]
     Full Idea: We know enough if we know we are the king's men. Our obedience to the king wipes the crime of it out of us.
     From: William Shakespeare (Henry V [1599]), quoted by Michael Walzer - Just and Unjust Wars 03
     A reaction: He is referring to the slaughter of the French servants behind the lines at Agincourt. A classic expression of 'I was just obeying orders', which was rejected at Nurnberg in 1946. Depends on the seriousness of the crime.
25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / e. Peace
A military victory is not a thing of beauty [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
     Full Idea: A military victory is not a thing of beauty.
     From: Laozi (Lao Tzu) (Daodejing (Tao Te Ching) [c.530 BCE], 31), quoted by Bryan van Norden - Intro to Classical Chinese Philosophy 8.II.1
     A reaction: Should be written on the wall of every military academy and barracks.
25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 2. Religion in Society
Any establishment belief system is incompatible with full respect for all citizens [Nussbaum]
     Full Idea: The idea of equal respect is difficult or impossible to render compatible with a religious establishment, even one that is benign and noncoercive. Any established church (or government secularism) denigrates nonbelievers, by stating they are an out-group.
     From: Martha Nussbaum (Creating Capabilities [2011], 4)
     A reaction: This sort of applies to membership of anything. She is sort of right, but there is no reason in principle why full respect should not be accorded to any out-group.