S04 E15 - Will Durant's Fallen Leaves: Unpacking the Roots of War
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S04 E15 - Will Durant's Fallen Leaves: Unpacking the Roots of War
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About this listen
In this episode of CSS Breakdown: Book by Book, Season 04, Episode 15, we tackle the profound and often grim reality of conflict as explored in the 'On War' chapter of Will Durant's Fallen Leaves. Join us as we dissect the historical panorama of warfare, from ancient battles with primitive tools to modern global conflicts. We'll delve into Durant's exploration of war's fundamental causes, tracing them back to basic human instincts like acquisition, fighting, action, and association, which can evolve into a lust for power. The episode will also cover the biological roots of conflict, such as protective fertility leading to group hunger and the development of armament, alongside the economic drivers like rivalry for land and markets, exacerbated by the Industrial Revolution. Furthermore, we'll discuss the political ambitions of states, driven by self-preservation and self-extension, and the constantly shifting balance of power among nations. Finally, we'll examine Durant's skeptical view on traditional peace efforts like vague appeals to conscience or past international bodies, and his call for a more realistic, specific, and detailed approach to mitigating conflict through dedicated international commissions.