[detsaoT]

"The continuous disasters of man's history are mainly due to his excessive capacity and urge to become identified with a tribe, nation, church or cause, and to espouse its credo uncritically and enthusiastically, even if its tenets are contrary to reason, devoid of self-interest and detrimental to the claims of self-preservation. We are thus driven to the unfashionable conclusion that the trouble with our species is not an excess of aggression, but an excess capacity for fanatical devotion."

I hate to say it, bud, but if this statement WERE true, then the Roman Empire would still exist today. Furthermore, if this statement WERE true (rather than just being an opinion), agencies like the UN would be effective in stopping war.

For, if it WERE true that the only thing preventing us from having GLOBAL PEACE was national identity, then we would've LONG ago been consolidated into one of the MANY large empires which have risen throughout the centuries (Persia, Greece, Rome, the United Kingdom, etc). Even with the advent of such super-entities as mentioned, internal fractionalism and strife STILL occurred, regardless of the fact that there was a Distinct Unifying Authority over all of the citizens in the jurisdiction thereof.

Therefore, I think whomever you quoted from is wrong.

:D ttt

[tpaine]

Human fanatics cause war, regardless of the 'religion' to which they profess to devote themselves.

--- Arthur Koestler on fanaticism: ---

"The continuous disasters of man's history are mainly due to his excessive capacity and urge to become identified with a tribe, nation, church or cause, and to espouse its credo uncritically and enthusiastically, even if its tenets are contrary to reason, devoid of self-interest and detrimental to the claims of self-preservation.
We are thus driven to the unfashionable conclusion that the trouble with our species is not an excess of aggression, but an excess capacity for fanatical devotion. "

I hate to say it, bud, but if this statement WERE true, then the Roman Empire would still exist today. Furthermore, if this statement WERE true (rather than just being an opinion), agencies like the UN would be effective in stopping war.

Of course it's an opinion, why would you think otherwise? - Strange reaction. - As are your comments on Rome & the U.N.

For, if it WERE true that the only thing preventing us from having GLOBAL PEACE was national identity, then we would've LONG ago been consolidated into one of the MANY large empires which have risen throughout the centuries (Persia, Greece, Rome, the United Kingdom, etc). Even with the advent of such super-entities as mentioned, internal fractionalism and strife STILL occurred, regardless of the fact that there was a Distinct Unifying Authority over all of the citizens in the jurisdiction thereof.

National identity? - Thats all you got from Koeslers 'opinion' on fanatics? Weird.

Therefore, I think whomever you quoted from is wrong.

Sure, --- that must be it. Thanks, bud, for your own rather devoted opinion.