English question

In (1), “more” applies to both “just” and “peaceful”. I’d like to know why it is unlikely that it applies only to “just”.

(1) We believe that education is the key to building a [u]more[/u] just and peaceful world.

I'm a resecher of English linguistics. Any insight you might have would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

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Casheyane · F

Because the subject is the world. And the word "more" is an adjective for the adjectives "just" and "peaceful".

While it makes sense to have it refer to only "just world", it makes even more sense that it refers to "just+peaceful world." Not to mention, the creativity of the author brings up a picture of the latter.

To begin with, I would not call the current world just nor peaceful. It's a fantasy drawn in mind, a useless but worthwhile attempt to try and make the world even a little bit just and peaceful.

But if you are to describe such a world as a creative spirit, then it would definitely be a wish to have a more just and more peaceful world.