Erasmus Against War

Name: Erasmus Against War
Author: Desiderius Erasmus

By Desiderius Erasmus

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History - Early Modern (c. 1450-1750)Philosophy & Ethics

About This Book

The text mounts a sustained moral, practical, and humanist argument against armed conflict, contrasting the material and spiritual benefits of peace with the ruinous effects of war on agriculture, towns, justice, learning, and family life. It catalogs wartime suffering — destruction, poverty, corruption, and moral decay — and insists that war multiplies human misery beyond ordinary misfortunes. Drawing on ethical, religious, and economic reasoning, the author exhorts those in power and society at large to pursue reconciliation, restraint, and reforms that preserve commonwealth and learning, closing with an appeal to cultivate peace as the true foundation of prosperity and virtue.

About the Author

Desiderius Erasmus

Desiderius Erasmus, a Dutch Renaissance humanist and theologian, is best known for his critical and satirical works that challenged the religious and social norms of his time. Born in Rotterdam around 1466, he became a prominent figure in the intellectual movement that emphasized the importance of education and classical learning. His most famous work, "In Praise of Folly," critiques the superstitions and corrupt practices of the Church, blending humor with sharp insight. Erasmus's dialogues, such as "A Merry Dialogue Declaringe the Properties of Shrowde Shrews and Honest Wives," showcase his wit and ability to engage with complex ideas through accessible conversation. His contributions to literature and thought continue to influence modern perspectives on education, religion, and society.