Why Do We Remember War? | Philosophy Tube

Every November we remember war, the army, and military history, often with poppies. But philosopher Benedict Anderson would say it’s a reflection of aggressive nationalism. How can we remember war in a way that fosters peace? How can we use our own patriotism, politics, and history responsibly?


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[Tterrible]

I'm all for remembering the war dead, but we should remember history as close to how it actually was, not what makes us look good.

[rickdufer]

This is a great video, mate.
One other thing, interesting: the public opinion during war. In 2002, every soldier dead in Iraq was celebrated publicly as a hero. In 2005, when public opinion started to look at the war in critic manner, every dead soldier was silently brought back to USA without celebrations. War death as electoral leverage is something interesting.

[anewhero]

Small note: Canada has Remembrance Day on November 11th, not Veteran’s Day. We also wear poppies for the month.

[anabulatovic]

that's strage. whenever I saw a unknown solider statue, I never once thought of nations. I always assumed that they were there for us to remember that every time somebody decides war is going to happen, thousands and thousands of all kinds of people (and probably mostly really young men who haven't even fully figured out who they are let alone had been truly able to dismiss manipulations and decide they wish to fight the war) die senselessly.

[shalinimaverick]

I also used to look at wars as a glorious moment to die for. But the way the people in power project it has made me realize that it's just a propaganda to divert the attention of the people from internal problems to the fabricated situations of war. In the name of the blind nationalism, people die and inflict unimaginable sufferings on people of other nations. I liked the concept of making peace memorials as practiced by local communities in New Zealand. Loved the topic and content and also the presentation and crystal clear pronunciation 👍🙏😊

[TMMx]

I suspect that this perspective is what many (probably most) people have of memorials and memorial holidays. My perspective of Remembrance Day has always been different. The value I've always seen in it is that we (citizens of a democratic state) and our ancestors elected governments that placed soldiers in harms way (often completely against their will when conscription was practiced) so we are responsible for their deaths and therefore owe their memory the greatest possible respect.

[Snuni]

I just love the flow of logic in your arguments :)

[mikeh]

Canadians don't have veteran's day. We have remembrance day

[aro]

I'm new here and I've been watching your videos for a few hours now. I just wanted to say thank you. I appreciate the time and effort you've put in to making these videos. They are paradoxically entertaining and enlightening as well as depressing and inspiring.

[ericvilas]

I'm from Argentina. Here, if you hold the opinion that the Falkland Islands rightfully belong to the British you're seen as unbelievably unpatriotic. Even though it was us who invaded after the British had been established there for over a century.
And if you dare call them Falklands instead of Malvinas? Holy shit are you like a traitor or something?!
((We even have street names and neighborhoods called "Malvinas Argentinas"))

And yes, this all sounds somehow "normal"... until you remember that the whole invasion was a ploy by the military government in the early 80's to generate national pride because they were losing popularity. As a matter of fact, as soon as we lost the war they stepped down.

[litcrit]

I can imagine something resembling a "Tomb of the Unknown Slave" -- under some better title. That is, I can recall a memorial dedicated to fallen/forgotten victims of racial injustice. Don't we have many such non-national memorials.

[TheRichandmighty]

Uh in Canada we have Remembrance Day and wear red poppies

[HughDingwall]

Interestingly, a lot of the NZ troops who served in WWI were quite opposed to the idea of "War memorials" and instead built "peace memorials", which were often buildings of use to the community (public halls and the like). The goverment of the day objected, and insisted in many cases on having more traditional arches or statues. The peace halls and peace memorials that did get built were often funded by the local communities.

[PlainclothesBandit]

I feel that I should clarify that here in the US we have not one day of remembrance, but two: Veterans Day and Memorial Day, almost half a year apart, which, while both existing for similar reasons, are still distinctly different. Veterans Day honors those who served in wars living or dead, and Memorial Day honors those who died in wars. It's an important distinction to make if you want a more comprehensive understanding of how we honor them for the sacrifices they have made. For example, a veteran may admonish you for showing them appreciation on Memorial Day, as it would be seen as a misallocation of your attention, the focus of which should be on those who gave their lives in battle, some of whom may be that veteran's friends.

[theniftycat]

Thank you for this video! In fact, I liked it so much that I translated it to Russian, because we have a total cult of WW2. I was wondering if you could approve my subtitles?

[schonsmith]

While I can't speak for the practice in other countries, in America it has always been less about the events and more about the veterans themselves. When the practice began, it was known as Armistice Day. At the time, in America, it did seem to focus more on the events of the first World War. However, in 1945, it was changed to All Veterans Day to commemorate the service members of all of our conflicts.

[NeverLoveNiila]

We don't have any day or event to remember dead soldiers or their actions in Germany. We only have monuments lamenting the losses of the people lost to war. Overall war isn't remembered in a heroic but in a tragic way in Germany. There are so many countries with horrible genocides in their pasts who could benefit from processing their past in a similar way to what people did here and still we apparently haven't done enough as there are still nationalists an neo Nazis alive and well in my country, who apparently haven't got the memo yet.

[HalfPintGiant]

I think that there needs to be a discussion of nationalism vs patriotism, since they are so similar looking at a glance. Here in the States we tend to be more nationalistic around Memorial Day than Veterans Day, since many veterans of Vietnam hold very strong anti-war views and make up a large number of veterans alive today. While they are anti-war, most are also very patriotic and proud of the time served. Of course this broad generalization is not true of everyone, but I have seen it first hand within my own family.

[NatHawley]

I really enjoy watching your videos, I do not always agree with them but It is great to see another side so well constructed

[whitepirate]

If the white poppy symbolizes the idea of remembrance, while also saying that war is not a good method of solving conflict, then what does the red poppy symbolize?