Final answer:
War offers potential benefits such as mass mobilization leading to social and economic change, the development of strategic thinking and resource management, and the potential for territorial gains and increased influence. However, these benefits are contentious and juxtaposed against the significant costs of warfare.
Step-by-step explanation:
Added Benefits of War
While war is predominantly about destruction and the toll it takes on nations and individuals, there are aspects that some may argue add benefits. One such benefit is the opportunity for mass mobilization and the unification of a country under a common cause. In the American Civil War, for example, both the North and the South were forced to mobilize their populations and resources in ways previously unseen, leading to significant social and economic changes. It was during this time that issues such as slavery came to the forefront and resulted in major social transformations.
Another added benefit of war can be the development of strategic thinking and planning, as emphasized by Sun Tzu. War promotes a high degree of strategic planning, as military leaders are forced to carefully consider their moves and the use of resources to achieve victory. This can translate into improved practices for resource management and decision-making, which can be valuable even in peacetime. It is essential, however, to balance considerations of advantage and disadvantage, which can lead to a more thorough understanding of both the benefits and costs of actions taken.
Lastly, in the context of Sun Tzu's teachings, there is the concept of attack by stratagem, which suggests that it is better to take the enemy's country whole and intact rather than to destroy it. This implies that war can lead to territorial gains and expansion of influence, which can be advantageous to a nation's power and position, although this aspect is highly subject to moral and ethical debates regarding the conquest and subjugation of others.