Why Killing Is Wrong

One hundred and eight million people were killed in wars in the 20th century (Hedges). The estimate for the number of humans killed throughout human history by war is roughly one billion. Numbers this prodigious should cause an uproar, but many residents absolve their government-- arguing that killing is justified. Why are so many humans being killed by the failure of leaders to think and analyze? Of the past 3,400 years, humans have been completely at peace for 268 of them, just 8 percent of recorded history (Hedges). Marcus Garvey once said, “The pen is mightier than the sword, but the tongue is mightier than both of them put together.” The problem at hand can be resolved with an uncomplicated answer.

Leaders should attempt to reason and work with other leaders in order to reduce violence, war, and reduce civilian casualties. Violence is what most countries were founded on. Take the United States, for example. White, European men invaded the Native American’s land, infecting them with disease (intentionally and

Patriotism is defined as “love for or devotion to one's country” (Patriotism). Most would assume having a love for one’s country means preventing unnecessary death or injury of the other residents of said country; however, that is the opposite train of thought that the patriotic citizens have. They believe that war is a means of protection and that the death of others is justified as long as their country is protected. They believe it brings a sense of unity inside their country and this sense of unity binds together the country and bring a feeling of cohesion. It supplies meaning and purpose, exceeds the monotony of everyday life. Warfare also enables the expression of higher human qualities that often lie dormant in ordinary life, such as courage and self-sacrifice. A solution that has been thought of for the problem of war is one that mimics the effects of this feeling of