Morning Curriculum

Morning Curriculum 

Polemology is the academic study of war, international conflict, and organized aggression, encompassing military, political, social, psychological, and economic aspects. The term, coined by Gaston Bouthoul, aims to understand the phenomenon of war to find ways to prevent it, moving beyond moralism to a structured, scientific approach. 

Key Aspects of Polemology:

• Multidisciplinary: It draws on various fields, including military studies, diplomacy, psychology, and economics, to provide a comprehensive understanding of war.

• Scientific Approach: The goal is to systematically study war as a social phenomenon, gathering facts and developing theories to understand its causes and consequences. 

• Conflict Prevention: A core objective of polemology is to identify the psychological and social factors that perpetuate conflicts and to propose alternatives and solutions for their prevention and resolution. 

• Historical Context: It examines the history of war and organized aggression to understand their place in human society and how they evolve. 

Origin of the Term:

• The word "polemology" comes from the Ancient Greek word pólemos, meaning "war" or "battle," combined with the suffix "-logy," meaning "the study of". 

• French sociologist Gaston Bouthoul established and promoted the discipline in the 20th century. 

Polemology vs. War Studies:

• Polemology is essentially synonymous with "war studies," the broader, multi-disciplinary field dedicated to understanding human conflict.

In essence, polemology seeks to apply scientific understanding to the problem of war, much like other scientific disciplines, with the ultimate aim of contributing to peace. 

Relationship to other disciplines:

Polemology is an interdisciplinary field that draws heavily on other social sciences: 

• Security Studies: Polemology is closely related to security studies, which examines a wider range of military and non-military threats to security at different organizational levels.

• Peace Research: While sharing the goal of preventing conflict, polemology differs from traditional peace research by focusing more narrowly on the direct causes and nature of war. In contrast, peace research often places more emphasis on political, economic, and social conditions.

• Military Psychology: The field informs military psychology by providing a framework for understanding the psychological factors that perpetuate conflicts, with the aim of helping to prevent or resolve them. 

Philosophy, derived from the Greek for "love of wisdom," is a systematic study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. It is a rational and critical inquiry distinguished from other forms of inquiry, such as mysticism or myth, by its reliance on reasoned argument. Historically, the natural sciences began as part of philosophy before becoming separate academic disciplines. 

Core branches of philosophy:

• Metaphysics: The study of the nature of reality and existence. Key questions include: "Why is there something rather than nothing?" "What is the nature of time and space?" "Do humans have free will?". A major subfield is ontology, the study of being.

• Epistemology: The theory of knowledge, which investigates its nature, sources, and limits. It examines what distinguishes a justified belief from an opinion. Key questions include: "What is knowledge?" "Can we know anything for certain?" and "Can we trust our senses?".

• Ethics: Also known as moral philosophy, this branch studies what constitutes right and wrong conduct, values, and a good life. It is typically divided into:

  • Meta-ethics: Examines the nature and origin of ethical concepts themselves.

  • Normative ethics: Deals with moral frameworks and how people ought to act, such as utilitarianism (maximizing happiness) or deontology (following moral duties).

  • Applied ethics: Considers ethical issues in specific, real-world fields like medicine (bioethics) and the environment.

• Logic: The study of correct reasoning and the rules for constructing valid arguments. It helps to differentiate good arguments from bad ones. It is used extensively in other disciplines, including mathematics and computer science.

• Aesthetics: This branch is concerned with the nature of beauty, art, taste, and how we appreciate and evaluate them. It addresses questions like, "Is beauty objective or subjective?" and "What is the purpose of art?". E.g beauty pageant.

• Political philosophy: The study of fundamental principles concerning government, justice, power, and the relationship between individuals and the state. It considers concepts such as liberty, equality, and rights. 

Other notable fields of philosophy:

In addition to the core branches, philosophy extends its rational inquiry into many other areas: 

• Philosophy of mind: Investigates the nature of mental phenomena like consciousness, mental states, and their relationship to the physical body. It addresses the "mind-body problem".

• Philosophy of language: Examines the nature of meaning, truth, and how language relates to thought and the world.

• Philosophy of science: Looks at the methods, assumptions, and implications of scientific inquiry, and how science can produce knowledge.

• Philosophy of religion: Explores philosophical questions related to religious beliefs, such as the existence of God or the meaning of religious language.

• Existentialism: Focuses on the experience of individual human existence, arguing that life has no predetermined purpose and that people must create their own meaning. 

Major philosophical traditions:

Philosophical thought has developed across many cultures, with prominent traditions including: 

• Western philosophy: Originating in Ancient Greece with thinkers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, it has evolved through periods like Hellenistic, Medieval, Renaissance, and Modern philosophy.

• Eastern philosophy: This encompasses traditions from India, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, and Chinese philosophy, including Confucianism and Taoism.

• Arabic-Persian philosophy: A tradition influenced by Ancient Greek philosophers that flourished during the Islamic Golden Age.

• African philosophy: A diverse field that includes oral traditions focusing on community, morality, and concepts like Ubuntu, as well as systematic approaches critiquing Eurocentrism

Why study philosophy?

Studying philosophy cultivates a broad range of valuable skills and benefits: 

• Critical thinking: It teaches the ability to question assumptions, analyze complex issues, and develop clear, logical reasoning.

• Problem-solving: It builds skills in framing problems, selecting relevant information, and assessing ideas.

• Ethical reasoning: It provides a foundation for evaluating moral issues and making sound ethical decisions in a personal, professional, or civic capacity.

• Intellectual curiosity: It broadens one's understanding, promotes self-knowledge, and fosters an appreciation for diverse perspectives.