The Pathology of War

Chronicles of Dreams & Wishes : III

The term ' pathology ' is defined as a deviation from the normal. Certainly war is a deviation from the normal course of life … or is it? Does survival mandate the need to fight and kill another? Undoubtedly in the case of animals this appears to be true, but with regards to the human, this inquiry has exhausted the will of many a good man intent on living his life in peace.

The human condition appears to be founded on a dream, however, one observes that, the same dream is shared by the creative elements of the universe, the rocks, trees, animals, perhaps the godly qualities and certainly man. In such a situation we realize that the term ' dream ' connotes a meaning that's far removed from our ideas of the dewy eyed romantic lover.

In retrospect we come to realize that the term is used to convey a less than conscious state of mind … a mind that may subscribe to an incomplete understanding of itself. To this, man's efforts at improving his lot brought a new definition of ' dream ' that was in the way of a wish fulfillment by man for a civil society. This was on the basis of a reasonable extrapolation of our knowledge and will.

In the encounter that must have taken place between the two there arose the sensation on both sides that the dream must be preserved at all costs. Cain struck out suddenly and killed his brother Abel. In an early part of the American experience something similar broke into a civil war and brother fought brother over the issue of ideals.

This follows an ugly tradition of wars going all the way back to the Egyptians. In thinking oneself exempt from such foolishness is the greatest danger. Gibran remarked that ' evil is goodness twisted.' Its pathology has come uninvited to our living rooms recently by the actions of urban terrorists. The pathos in its nature has certainly been revealing.

We may not have all the answers today but we can come to a better understanding of the human condition and to share our understanding with those still steeped in tradition. To have insight into our own natures is to understand better the brother. This creates an opportunity to learn new skills, improve our own commitment and come to the persuasion that we can do more.

The answer lies in each one of us. Past the rocks and the anima, the dream came to view man as its greatest achievement. We get to decide today where we want to take it to.