War is defined as “[a] state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict” (“War”). War existed throughout the history of mankind, and left its footprints deep within our society. Even though, we do not know what war truly is. We may assume that war is a complex matter that derives us to think and analyze its true meanings and values. It raises the question of ‘What causes war?’ In Ehrenreich’s writing “The Ecstasy of War” she answers that war is too complex to say it is based on a single act. Moreover, she claims that instinct is a minor factor and should be disregarded (Ehrenreich 426-431). Although her principles, some may think instinct should be considered as factor that derives war. Therefore this paper will rebut on the oversimplification of such argument and reason the importance of instinct in war.
War has many sides, and our view towards war can change according to the face we look at. Keith Otterbein, an anthropologist, emphasized weapons, not motives in his definition of war. His definition of warfare was more towards the system, with the hierarchy structure and professional soldiers (Chalquist). However, it does not mean the definition of war is limited to such view. What if we focus on the motives of war to define it? When we disregard the development of weaponry and mechanics, we may be able to view war as a result of pure violence and instinct. By viewing things from such perspective, we may be able say instinct could be considered as factor that led