In the book " On Justice, Power and Human Nature" by Thucydides, the overall main event is the Peloponnesian Wars. ... These themes are justice, the fight for power and the reacting human nature in consequence. ... Throughout the book, the reader gets the distinct impression that the concept of justice is often paired with that of self-interest and is highly subject to the narrow perspective of each individual. Ultimately, according to a main underlying theme in Thucydides, neither was demonstratably just or unjust because their actions were subject to human nature, which follows a pattern and inevitably leads the strong to always attempt to conquer the weak.
During the Peloponnesian wars the author, Thucydides, claims that the sympathies of the men were with the Lacedaemonians. ... "(Thucydides p. ... 24 of Thucydides, had Athenians done as the Persians and attempted to conquer the " allies" forcefully they would have been less passionate over the loss of their liberty. ... It seems only justified that the allies remain loyal to the Athenians, yet justice and loyalty are often sacrificed in situations where personal interest supercedes fidelity. ... However, the main reason that the Lacedaemonians decided to attack was that they were afraid of the power Athens possessed and did not want to fall prey to their empire. ... That they wanted to rectify the injustices of the Athenian empire was in truth that they wanted to alter the balance of power in their favor. However, the Athenian defended themselves of the accusations posed on them by the Peloponnesian League by saying that they were only following human nature and inclination to rule over others. ... We have not deviated from normal human behavior (. ... " (Thucydides p.23)
If this is the Athenians defense then the Lacedaemonians are just as subject to the same definition of human nature and are just as compelled to rule or obtain power. ... Therefore, on Athenian terms, the Peloponnesian League was also simply following human nature and searching to fulfill their own interests, and therefore doing no more injustice in initiating the war than were the Athenians in instigating the war. ... Various actors as laid out by Thucydides litter the war with appeals to justice.
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