Difference Between Reasons and Causes of War

Introduction

 War is a phenomenon that human beings have grappled with for thousands of years, and it can now be considered part of human nature. Now, war can be defined as organized violence among groups and can be viewed from an international or historical sense, depending on the context. The definition and circumstances of war have changed with history, as the minds of those who wage it change and fight for some purpose or plan. Therefore, to understand these changes, this paper will provide a discussion on the differences between reasons and causes of war, which are notions that complement each other but are often misunderstood. 

Understanding the Difference Between Cause and Reason

First, it is important to explain the differences between cause and reason, which are perspectives that are very similar and are often used as synonyms by many scholars. Also, both terms can take noun and verb forms depending on the context in use (“Difference Between Cause and Reason | Difference Between | Cause Vs Reason”). However, grammatically, they are considered to be different terms with no relation and cannot be used interchangeably. Thus, a cause can be defined as an aspect that produces an effect, while reason is a notion that supports a decision or opinion.

Justifications for War: The Role of Security and Human Nature

Therefore, keeping this in mind, the reasons for war can be considered a justification in that there are particular ideas that validate the occurrence of conflict or wars. One of the main reasons can be linked to human nature, specifically, the need to pursue security and safety. Since the beginning of time, security has been a major basic factor for the survival of human beings, and people have developed ways to protect themselves against adversities that may pose a threat to human life. One such threat is fellow human beings. Potential attacks from other people or countries are an issue acknowledged worldwide, and history supports this claim. Consequently, war is justified when the security of a country or a group of people is compromised.

Causes of War: Resources, Religion, and Political Instability

Conversely, compared to the reasons, which are grounded on the rationale and human nature, the causes of war are based on the perspectives of origin or conviction. That is, one of the major causes of war is the pursuit of resources and territory (Amonson). The increase in demand for land and resources over the years has led to the invasion of countries and states, as evidenced by the era of the World Wars in the early 20^th century. Another cause is religion, where, due to differences in beliefs and ideologies on spiritual enlightenment, violence always escalates in support of various convictions, for example, Islamic extremism and radicalization (Amonson). Other causes of war may include destabilization and conflicting political systems. 

Conclusion

Overall, from the discussion, the reasons and causes of war provide a contrasting outlook of the two notions. In this case, justification and rationale are ideas that provide the basis for the meaning and explanation of the term ‘reason.’ It has been noted that human nature, or the innate need for security in human beings, which has been in existence since the beginning of time, supports the idea of war. The term ’cause,’ on the other hand, explains what prompts war, much of which is not justified or humane and leads to adversities or disasters.