Rooting vs uprooting: humanity, justice, and decolonization of life-world in war time

Abstract

The author of the article develops the concept of rooting as the basis of life-world and human identity. The article demonstrates the threats of eradication of life-world and identity because of the conscious destruction of the environment and cultural tradition by the aggressor with the purpose of overcoming resistance and uprooting a nation from its homeland. The paper considers the antithesis of rooting and uprooting as the inner essence of the struggle in war time. Rooting is clarified as a moral factor: “deep-rooted cannot be the extirpator” (S. Weil). The author explicates uprooting as a common colonization and criminal practice. The responsibility for this practice is imposed not only on the perpetrator, but also on those who agree or show indifference. The article suggests that the anonymous evil of war undermines humanity and should not remain unpunished. The restoration of justice is grounded as a condition of preservation of the valued order and humanity in the world. The author argues for peace as a situation where the winner and the loser understand the moral meaning of the events of the war and its just outcome.