INTRODUCTION
Our position is that the greatest threat to the world’s natural and cultural heritage is armaments, wars, and especially weapons of mass ecological, cultural, and social destruction, as nuclear weapons were characterized by the United Nations Treaty on their Prohibition, which entered into force on 22 January 2021—that is, five years ago.
THE TOPIC
“The United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons:
For a Greece, for a Europe, for a World firmly in favor of Peace rather than Fear”
— Its Ethical, Political, and Social Dimension
Immanuel Kant (1724–1804)
The German philosopher Immanuel Kant, two centuries ago, dealt in depth with one of humanity’s most timeless dreams: peace. In his work “Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch” (1795), which is considered a classic in the history of peace theories, he does not merely speak about the avoidance of wars, but about a permanent and stable condition of peace among people and states.
In order to properly understand what Kant means by the term “perpetual peace,” we need to take into account his entire philosophical system. In his important work “Critique of Pure Reason” (1781), written fifteen years prior to Perpetual Peace, Kant examines the limits and possibilities of human thought “as a unity of the conditions of possibility of Freedom, Knowledge, and Morality.”
He shows how Reason functions, what its rules are, and also what illusions it may create. In this way, he radically changed the manner in which human beings perceive themselves and the world.
The idea of perpetual peace, therefore, is not for Kant a simple political agreement or a legal document. It is a moral duty, an “ought” that arises from human Reason itself. Human beings, as rational and free beings, are obliged to pursue the realization of this ideal.
At the same time, Kant believes that Nature itself also drives human beings in this direction. Through historical development, conflicts, and difficulties, humanity gradually advances toward a final goal: a world in which freedom and peace become reality.
Kant’s philosophy is characterized by optimism and profound faith in humanity. In a contemporary era full of uncertainty, where ideals are often questioned or distorted, the Kantian vision of perpetual peace serves as a reminder that ideals, however difficult they may seem, remain goals worthy of pursuit.
From Kant to Marx
We now make a historical and political–social leap in order to encounter Karl Marx (1818–1863).
In his essay “Theses on Feuerbach” (1845), in the famous 11th Thesis, he argues:
“Philosophers have only interpreted the world; the point, however, is to change it.”
This thesis of Marx has been widely discussed and, in my opinion, often misinterpreted. Marx does not belittle or subordinate thought, philosophical reflection, and ethical values to action.
The idea in the 11th Thesis, in my view, is not that action is more important than thought, but that philosophy should provide us with an understanding of why and how society must change. Otherwise, it remains merely a passive interpretation of the existing condition.
The question today—directly related to our topic—is:
“What is to be done—for the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: for a Greece, Εurope and a world firmly in favor of Peace rather than Fear?”
A first and easy answer is to express general opposition to war. If we do so, it follows that we are against armed conflicts, against armaments, and therefore against nuclear weapons.
This view is often encountered when we propose that more states ratify the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
In reality, most people who put forward the argument “We are against wars and therefore against nuclear weapons, and there is no need to do anything specific regarding the Treaty of Prohibition” have been shown not to participate anywhere—neither in the anti-war and peace movement, nor therefore in the anti-nuclear movement.
WHAT HAVE WE DONE SO FAR AND WHAT MUST WE DO IN THE FUTURE
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To combine philosophy and ethics with action.
In practical terms, this means information, education, and the cultivation of a culture of peace.
We are not saying anything new; we are not rediscovering America. On 6 October 1999, at the 50th United Nations General Assembly, the “Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace” (A/RES/53/243) was adopted.
FOR A CULTURE OF PEACE
In this declaration, the United Nations recognized that peace:
“is not only the absence of conflict. It also requires a positive, dynamic, participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are resolved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.”
In a world of increasing geopolitical tensions and prolonged conflicts, it is important to recall how the UN General Assembly convened in 1999 to articulate the values required for a culture of peace. These include: respect for life, human rights, and fundamental freedoms; the promotion of non-violence through education, dialogue, and cooperation; commitment to the peaceful settlement of conflicts; and dedication to freedom, justice, democracy, solidarity, pluralism, cultural diversity, dialogue, and understanding at all levels of society and among nations.
The Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) begins with the idea that:
“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.”
These ideas and this culture of peace must be cultivated in the minds of children and communities through both formal and informal education at the international level.
These ideas, which may be philosophical and ethical (to recall Kant), are not sufficient for humanity to live in a peaceful and civilized environment; they must be claimed and put into practice (to recall Marx).
These ideas will not be realized from one day to the next. What is needed is a “peaceful war against war.”
We need to support the decisions of the United Nations and strengthen the Organization, which includes states from all regions of the world. The majority of UN member states are not warlike countries representing the interests of the arms industry.
We need to weaken the idea of fear and intimidation of the opponent as a means of resolving disputes.
We need a Peace Movement against armaments—and in this sense, we cannot but oppose ReArm Europe.
We need to adopt the principle of “preventive medicine”: prevention against war and in favor of peace means demanding:
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the reduction of armaments;
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the prohibition of nuclear tests and nuclear weapons—ratification by more states of the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW);
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the well-being of citizens; the protection of nature; the protection and promotion of cultural heritage and all the achievements and accomplishments of humanity.
We need a new culture against war and nuclear weapons.
We need to stop producing nuclear waste, and to consign whatever already exists to the dustbin of human history.
The United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which entered into force on 22 January 2021, five years ago, and was welcomed by the peace movement, is yet another tool, a means to enforce in practice the prohibition of nuclear tests and nuclear weapons.
Five years after the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, that is, on 22 January 2026, let us celebrate today the international success of ICAN and the peace (and ecological) movement, which for the first time, through this Treaty, placed nuclear weapons in the same category as other weapons of mass destruction—namely, weapons of mass ecological and social destruction.
In Greece, 96 out of 332 Municipal Councils, including the City of Athens, have adopted resolutions in favor of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
It is worth mentioning the joint article by the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, and the Executive Director of ICAN, Melissa Parke, published on 26 September 2025, the UN International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, which remains particularly relevant following the military strikes by the United States in Venezuela, as well as the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
The final paragraph of the joint article by the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, and ICAN Executive Director Melissa Parke states:
“…We call on Greece to join the majority of the world’s countries that support dialogue, diplomacy, and disarmament instead of confrontation, militarization, and the spread of nuclear weapons, and to stand on the right side of history, so that the end does not come…”
(26.09.2025)
Naturefriends Greece
The association Naturefriends Greece / Friends of Nature is:
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one of the three partners of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) in Greece;
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a candidate member of the International Peace Bureau.
Useful Links
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Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: https://tinyurl.com/5yhrksh6
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Wikipedia: https://tinyurl.com/3vrmvs
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International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN): https://www.icanw.org/
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City of Athens: https://tinyurl.com/3vzmptk8