Paul Baumer, the protagonist of the novel All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, perspective on World War 1 resembled rational and logical thought, even questioning the ethical course of the war. As a soldier in the German army during World War I, Paul is a sensible and compassionate man who has become skilled at disconnecting himself from his emotions to maintain his sanity and survive the horrors of war. He is devoted to his mother and grieved deeply after her loss. Paul also values his friendships with his fellow soldiers and tries to protect them, even risking his own life. Despite the danger, Paul feels a sense of belonging at the front and becomes frustrated with the civilians’ naive perception of the war.

In evaluating Paul’s ethics and morality, the philosophy of Rene Descartes provides a helpful framework. Descartes famously wrote, “I think therefore I am,” in his Discourse on the Method. This idea suggests that the ability to think and reason is essential to human existence. Paul’s ability to think and reason allows him to maintain his sense of self and purpose in the midst of the chaos and destruction of war.Descartes focused on the separation of the mind and the body, similar to how Paul separates his emotions from the battlefields at times, causing the choices made to be in a way unethical and brutal. His choices centralize on the ambient environment of war and its devastating impacts on the mental health which Paul and his fellow comrades faced.

Descartes additionally wrote, “If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.” Paul’s experiences on the front have led him to question the validity of the war and the authority figures who make decisions about it. He recognizes that the soldiers are being used as pawns in a larger political game and that the cause of the war is flawed. This doubt shows that Paul is not just blindly following orders but is actively engaging with his own beliefs and values.

When Paul kills an enemy soldier up close, he is forced to confront the harsh reality of war and the morality of killing. Descartes’ philosophy emphasizes the importance of reason and reflection in making moral decisions. Paul’s decision to kill the enemy soldier is not an easy one, but he recognizes that it is necessary to protect himself and his fellow soldiers. He must weigh the value of his own life against the value of the enemy soldier’s life and make a difficult choice.

Finally, Descartes wrote, “The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest men of past centuries.” Paul’s love of literature and his appreciation for the written word shows that he is not just a mindless soldier, but a person with intellectual curiosity and depth. His connection to his mother is also significant, as it demonstrates his ability to love and empathize with others. Despite the dehumanizing effects of war, Paul has not lost his humanity or his capacity for moral reasoning but rather chose to follow dehumanizing ideas solely at war.

In conclusion, the philosophy of Rene Descartes provides a useful lens for evaluating the ethics and morality of Paul Baumer in All Quiet on the Western Front. The traits and characteristics of Paul’s character exemplify how as a person he is morally good and natural whereas at war, the shift in the environment alters his mentality. Paul’s ability to think and reason, his willingness to question authority, his difficult decision-making, and his appreciation for literature and human connection all suggest that he is a complex and nuanced character, rather than a mere cog in the war machine.