„BARDZIEJ NIŻ MASZYN POTRZEBUJEMY CZŁOWIECZEŃSTWA”. KILKA REFLEKSJI NAD ZASADĄ HUMANITARYZMU W ŚWIETLE PROPAGANDY WOJENNEJ
‘We need humanity rather than machines’. A few reflections on the principle of humanitarism in the light of war propaganda

Summary/Abstract: A positive vision of human nature provides for fundamental normative consideration of the principle of humanity. Hence, the construction of psychological barrier turning the deprivation of life of other members of our species into an uneasy task. Nevertheless, the soldiers limited by the principles of precaution and proportionality are ordered to kill. An appropriate psychological mechanism of self-deception helps human beings to better adopt to the acts contrary to our nature. Together with war propaganda they consist of useful tools for efficient military commanders but also war criminals. In this essay, the author refers to the book by David Livingstone Smith and tries to connect issues of psychology, law of armed conflict and political science in the context of the interpretation of the principles of humanity and the modern vision of warfare. The essay focuses on the linguistic analysis of selected fragments of international law and of public statements on methods of warfare. The main goal is to illustrate the methods of dehumanization of the enemy, through dehumanization, demonization and bestialization of human being. In the end, the author calls for a similar reflection in the context of the ongoing discussion about ongoing robotization of battlefield.

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