"Peace cannot be kept by force.
It can only be achieved
by understanding."
Albert Einstein, 1879-1955
German-born American Physicist
2007-04-16 03:41:59 · 24 answers · asked by holy_see 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
I agree with J.R. "Bob" Dobbs who said "Make love AND war!"
2007-04-16 03:44:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
I agree that if you have two elements that understand what is at stake and make a true effort they can attain peace.. But I think you can achieve peace with force, with understanding and with both. A good example of that is the Multi-National Observers mission in Eygpt, we have been there since 1979 and thats worked out pretty good. It's more a show of force, but they know the multi-national force will use force
2007-04-16 10:48:39 · answer #2 · answered by superP 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I disagree with generalistic slogans that weren't uttered to address current issues and may even have been taken out of context.
No, I don't agree with the statement in general. There are far too many examples in the world where lots of "understanding" resulted in lots of tyranny.
Jews in WWII, the invasion of Poland, North Korean agression, PolPot, etc ad infinitum.
As long as there are those that will use force to achieve their ends of enslaving people, no amount of understanding or diplomacy will keep the people free.
If we lived in a utopic world, then the quote may have meaning...but we don't and until we evolve to that point, only force will defend freedom and liberty in the face of despotic attack.
2007-04-16 10:56:42 · answer #3 · answered by cappi 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I would agree, if by "understanding" he meant understanding that we have to be prepared to respond to force with force, and that such proper preparations are the only way to ensure peace.
No, peace can't be KEPT by force, but it can certainly be achieved by force, witness the ending of the 2d World War by dropping a nuclear weapon on Japan. That brought us to a very peaceful understanding that we've maintained for some 60 years now.
2007-04-16 10:57:29 · answer #4 · answered by open4one 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yeah.
Doesn't mean force isn't needed to impose peace, or a different environment for peace, at times. But to KEEP peace, more than force is required.
2007-04-16 10:45:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps Einstein could have better said ... by understanding and trust.
2007-04-16 10:45:19 · answer #6 · answered by Dave 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i completely agree. our society is very ignorant as a whole on other societies, if we took the time to learn about others more then our world would be a much better place. instead, we view the world in a stupidly simplistic way of good vs. evil, and use force to try and impose our ways on others. obviously, this does not work.
2007-04-16 10:45:55 · answer #7 · answered by She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
No. It is unrealistic for real life. Peace is always kept by force, that's why we have police departments, etc.
2007-04-16 10:45:47 · answer #8 · answered by Princess of the Realm 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Now that one I can agree with.I think he truly regretted the A-Bomb.
2007-04-16 11:03:47 · answer #9 · answered by Whiner 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure, as long as both sides in the conflict agree, otherwise it's pointless.
2007-04-16 10:44:53 · answer #10 · answered by jim_2ooo 2 · 7⤊ 0⤋
It goes well with "The horse will never understand the donkey".
2007-04-16 10:51:38 · answer #11 · answered by Brian I 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋