Bauman Zigmunt: Why is there war, and how can peace be achieved?

There are many peoples who are forced to leave their land, and many are those who fight, with all their weapons at their disposal, for love of their motherland and their families. When will all of this end?

When can we finally live in a world where there is no war and weapons?

The development of such events seemed impossible in 2022, yet it is happening. Meanwhile, there are also those who fear the launch of a Third World War. But why did things go so far?

How is it that despite progress and history, which should teach us not to repeat past mistakes, we are at this point again? Sociologist and philosopher Zigmut Bauman have talked many times about the nature of peace and conflict. His words on this matter can shed more light on our doubts, and answer our questions.

How peace can be achieved by Bauman

In 2016, it was held in Assisi, the interreligious summit on subject“The thirst for peace”, which included Zigmunt Baumann, along with 500 religious leaders and other personalities from civil society and the cultural world. Sociologist opened the activity with a talk that aroused the audience's interest and curiosity.

In particular, Bauman focused on two names “n” and “ata”. According to famous researchers, mankind's history has had and has to do with the process of expanding the name “ne”. “

“All the stages and stages that took place in human history have had a common denominator: they've been characterised by inclusion on the one hand, and exclusion on the other, in which there has been a mutual identification, through inclusion and exclusion”.

Us and them

So the term “ne” indicates an enmity with “ata”, another entity of people that is not “ne”. Each of the two concepts -- “ne” and “ata” -- cannot exist without the other. They define each other by contrast, and as a result, they need conflict to define themselves.

So history is full of war events. “Today there is an inevitable need for expansion as the next stage of mankind. This next step is represented by “them”. We should all feel like “ ”, and not identify the other as foreign to the group.

We all need to feel a part of an entity to finally achieve peace.

For this reason, the sociologist said:“Today we are in the cosmopolitan dimension, where everything affects the planet, the future of our grandchildren and great - grandchildren.

We're all dependent on each other... but we're not even beginning to develop a cosmopolitan consciousness. And we manage this moment with the means of our ancestors... This is a trap, a challenge we must face.

Then why is there still war?

That's why according to the Bauman Zigmun, the war still exists today: we haven't learned to manage the cosmopolitan dimension we're in. The changes have been rapid and large. But we haven't changed. We have not even changed the way we act and relate to others. So we haven't become a “ ” whole. The question is, will we ever be