Aren't the Geneva conventions kind of stupid.?

Question

If you must fight a war wouldn't all means be justified?

Answer 1

Just place yourself in the shoes of the one being tortured, or the one being enslaved in a concentration camp, or the one about to be killed in cold blood for no reason other than existing, and then think again before asking such silly questions.

Answer 2

Of course not. During the devastating wars (The Winter War, Continuation War) against the USSR Finland abided by the Geneva conventions despite being overwhelmingly outnumbered by the Sovjets.

This had a crumbling effect on the sovjet morale, who knew that they would be treated well, kept warm and fed if they surrendered- compared with their condition that was usually cold, starving and treated like dogs by their superiors.

The Geneva conventions are not only a humanitarian necessities (which by our constitution we must abide) but they are a great military tactic also.

Answer 3

if you're fighting for liberty, how do you justify denying it?
take a look at the history surrounding the creation of the Geneva Convention and the resolutions drawn there, and then ask the question. don't forget it was primarily an American idea
i don't mean an idea formulated by Americans so much as an idea based on what America used to be

Answer 4

I think following these guidelines would be a fine in an ideal world where your enemy does the same. I'm quite sure no terrorist anywhere has ever considered if something he was about to do was going to break Geneva Convention rules. This is a good question, if your enemy doesn't follow the rules, or even have a country for that matter, then I believe it would be completely stupid to hamstring your military with these guidelines meant for a nation versus nation conflict.

Answer 5

No, not all means are justified. If you fight your enemy that does not mean you can be cruel and inhuman to the men, women and children who are not soldiers and have done nothing wrong but are victims. Inhuman is to use atom bombs, naplam, chemical warfare etc. Therefore they made the Geneva conventions.

Answer 6

They made war more humane and codes of honor are always good. But it's kind of silly to hold ourselves to this treaty when our advisory follows no rules, is not a member of the treaty.

Answer 7

ethics in war/Yes an apperent dichotomy.I tseems to be mans habit to provide order in the midst of chaos

Answer 8

since America promoted it maybe it is stupid. I'll tell you what, lets just all do what the hell we want. NO RULES. That should be just grand

Answer 9

If you condone torture, than your enemy will torture your captured troops. There are rules, even in warfare.

Answer 10

to some degree...yes