Reflections on Clausewitz, Book 2 Chapter II: On the Theory of War

Clausewitz begins this chapter by reflecting on how all the theories of war up to this point are mere mechanical abstractions.  They miss out on the difference implicit in forging a sword versus wielding a sword (how I wish he could have read the Book of Five Rings!).  Certainly, you need certain objective standards and procedures to create an army in the first place – but to reduce the entire War to a mechanical system – be it mechanical troop movement, a focus on supply chains, or any other such reductive form of thinking – is to fundamentally miss what a theory of war entails.

On the analytical level, all of these prior theories contributed; but on the synthetic level they completely miss the mark.  The focus on the determinable while ignoring the indeterminate.  They fail to acknowledge genius.  They fail to understand the spirited man who is unafraid of risky ventures.  They put all their thought into one side, one aspect, while War – by its very nature – is an interplay of forces.

All of these criticisms apply equally to all the other endeavours of civilized men.  The past two centuries have been characterized by the systemization of political economy, utterly failing to account for the push-back with which the universe inevitably responds, whilst refusing to think past their primordial heuristics.  Our corporations design idealized HR departments which only serve to push out the talented.  The scientific approach drives us to design utopian systems in all sectors of society, while ignoring the idiotic misery which results.  This is the behaviour of the midwit; he who follows the rules for the sake of the rules.  The nature of the genius is to rise above rules.

The Tao which can be written is not the true Tao.

“Pity the theory which sets itself in opposition to the mind.”

We think only of matter, while forgetting about the moral, intelligent forces which give life to matter.  These forces are only visible to the inner eye, to the genius who is willing to see them.  Of note are the feelings related to war: hostility, courage, danger, ambition – to reduce it to a mere physical contest (or to measure a vehicle by its miles per gallon, while excluding it’s sexiness) is to make oneself blind to these moral forces.

“Deceit is no avail against death.” He notes the peculiar nature of the soldier, living under hardship and danger gives him a forthright air; petty intrigues and lies belong to the ‘higher’ echelons of society.  Nonetheless, the General must be vigilant against such vicious emotional forms.

The constant struggle of war leads to a situation where talent outperforms planning.  Too many accidents, too many clashing personalities – too much unpredictability.  The soldier is a man who must learn to think on his feet.  The ‘scaffolding’ which theory provides can become his enemy, forcing him to fight against it – or to rise above it, as the circumstances change.

The degree to which theory and information can be trusted is inversely proportional to one’s rank and responsibility in the army.  The Commander in Chief must rely almost exclusively on genius.  At the lowest level, material reality (weapon against weapon) dominates; at the upper, the moral aspects and consequences dominate.  “In a word, it is easier to make a theory for tactics than for strategy.”

Theory – if it is to be of any use at all – should be there to guide the new mind, to categorize and detail the different elements which he will encounter during his exploration of this new field.  And yet, to cement ideas down into objective laws prevents creative thought, which is fatal in such a field as War.  The result is that which we see throughout history: the great Generals, the true geniuses, arise spontaneously and accrue fame rapidly.  They are not of the educated, military classes, enraptured by the very theories which hold them back, but true geniuses who can turn the rules on their head, and see past the limitations which surround them. “The knowledge of war is very simple, but not, at the same time, very easy.” Many mistake themselves for free thinkers, when all they’re doing is ignoring common sense.  This is some deep wisdom here… the kind that is often dangerous if absorbed by the foolish.

The General must be apprehensive of politics.  He must understand the character of men.  The logistics of battle.  His genius and talent must be directed at both the science and art of battle.  Ultimately, he must generate the whole apparatus of knowledge within himself.  This is an act of intellect, directed upon the will, and expressed through the emotions.  Thus he converts knowledge into power.  Theory – employed towards these higher ideals – ensures that he processes all knowledge, and never stands in opposition to himself.

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