The Problem with Courage
The philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein volunteered to fight in the First World War despite his eligibility for medical exemption.
He served on the front line by choice, seeing some of the heaviest action of the war. He was an artillery spotter, often stationed in no man’s land, and an obvious target of enemy sniper fire.
He drew his strength from a new-found spiritual faith, he wrote copious notes about his belief that God had given his life meaning among the death, destruction and decay of the front lines.
He carried a copy of Tolstoy’s Gospel in Brief, becoming known by his fellow soldiers as the “man with the Gospels”. A mythic figure — a young hermit in no man’s land, somehow defying the snipers’ bullets and mortars. He was awarded medals for valour, even being nominated for the very highest accolades.
A report described a man of great honour and integrity: “His exceptionally courageous behaviour, calmness, composure, and heroism won the total admiration of the troops.”
He was a hero, an inspiration, an exemplary soldier and citizen.
The problem is, he was on the wrong side.
He fought for his homeland, Austria, against the western allies and against the friends he had made while studying in England. When the allies won the war in 1918 Wittgenstein…
