ТРАНСФОРМАЦИЯ МОРАЛЬНЫХ НОРМ В ЭКСТРЕМАЛЬНЫХ УСЛОВИЯХ ВОЙНЫ (НА ПРИМЕРЕ КАВКАЗСКОЙ ВОЙНЫ 1817–1864 гг.)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the transformation of moral norms in extreme combat conditions on the example of the Caucasian war of the XIX century. Research hostilities in the Caucasus shows that the transformation of moral principles was typical of most combatants. The article reviews the common causes of all wars – the most everyday threat to human life, his health, the constant changing combat situation, long-term, often exceeding the limits of human capacity load, the loss of comrades, confrontation between sublime and base, altruistic and selfish motives. The longest war in the history of Russia gave rise to particular causes of changes in moral standards – very long, not typical for most wars, periods of calm, accompanied by boredom, monotony and lack of women. In such extreme conditions, cruelty of the enemy is often not specific personality traits, and wore alienated, with an abundance of defensive motivations and character. In the Caucasus, including those dominated by «we act like them», «I'm doing everything», «fog of war», «winners are not judged». However, only a deep transformation of moral standards could lead to the fact that people lost faith and began to doubt the value and indisputability of moral commandments as «Thou shalt not kill», «Thou shalt not steal», «Thou shalt not covet the property of his neighbor», «Love your neighbor as yourself», «do not lie» and others. That is why, when the war ended, the participants hostilities began to reconsider their attitude to the Caucasian War. Peaceful life has formed in the minds of the combatants symbiosis of ideas about the enemy: along with the justification for their own violent actions appeared respect and even a certain sense of brotherhood towards the enemy. The notes and memoirs, wrote after the win, took a dominant place condescending and respectful attitude to the smallest enemy who managed to resist for so long.