News Can Nations Afford Altruistic Wars?

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The discussion centers on whether nations can afford to engage in wars driven by altruism rather than self-interest or defense. Participants highlight the complexity of defining altruism in the context of warfare, questioning whether any war has genuinely been fought out of altruism or if such motives are merely a façade supported by propaganda. The conversation suggests that the lines between altruism and defensive actions are often blurred, complicating the assessment of motivations behind military conflicts. Additionally, there is a philosophical debate regarding the existence of true altruism, with some arguing that all actions, including those by nations, carry personal or strategic consequences. This leads to the implication that if altruism does not exist, then nations like the USA do not engage in wars for altruistic reasons.

Can nations afford to fight wars (not counting wars of defence) out of altruism?

  • Yes

    Votes: 6 50.0%
  • No

    Votes: 6 50.0%

  • Total voters
    12
Adam
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A simple question. Do you think nations can afford to fight wars (not including wars of defence) out of altruism? Yes or no?
 
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this can't be answered with any possible accuracy.
 
What wars have ever been fought out of genuine altruism rather than PR or propagandized altruism?
 
With worldly issues as it is now, won't a definition of "altruism" and "wars of defence" be apt? In certain cases (and through propoganda) it SEEMS that the two are very much blurred.
 
Adam said:
A simple question.
The question may be simple, but the answer is extrordinarily complex. One might argue (for example), that there is no such thing as altruism. Even seemingly altruistic actions will have personal consequences.
 
If one argued that there is no such thing as altruism, that one must be saying that the USA does not go to war for altruism. Simple.
 
Adam said:
If one argued that there is no such thing as altruism, that one must be saying that the USA does not go to war for altruism. Simple.


That's what you have been saying all along.
 

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