Abstract

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: This article aims to explore selected ancient Greek and Roman perspectives on war, with an effort to identify elements of these views that continue to hold cognitive and/or normative relevance in contemporary discourse.

THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The central research problem concerns the conceptualization of war by Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero, focusing on its origins, nature, types, objectives, and the philosophical justifications for or against it. The article employs a philosophical approach, supplemented by cultural and theological analyses where appropriate. The hermeneutic-heuristic and comparative methods are utilized to examine the research problem.

THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: Based on an examination of source texts, the article presents a synthesis of the major Greek and Roman philosophical views on war, highlighting both the similarities and differences between them.

RESEARCH RESULTS: The analyses reveal the crucial role of philosophical interpretations of reality, particularly in the context of human coexistence. It identifies a persistent duality in thought: some traditions regard war as the fundamental principle of all existence, while others assign this primacy to peace. Despite their mutual critiques, these views endure, forming a lasting component of European reflections on war.

CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The examined perspectives on war have profoundly influenced European thought. Given their inherent logical structures and the enduring nature of the issues they address, these views remain relevant and worthy of consideration in contemporary discussions.