Discussion Questions
1. What does Clausewitz think is the role of international
law in war?
2. How according to Clausewitz are the wars or civilized
peoples different from those of savages? What does he think accounts
for those differences? To what extent do the differences indicate
the superiority of civilized peoples?
3. What would Clausewitz say to those who advise
using skill to disarm and overcome an enemy with the least amount
of bloodshed?
4. What sort of reasoning about war is Clausewitz
criticizing when he speaks of "reasoning in the abstract"
and imagining that we can strive after perfection and even attain
it? What is the more realistic view that Clausewitz is advocating?
5. Clausewitz writes that "the result of war
is never absolute." What does he mean by this?
6. What does Clausewitz mean by the political object
of war? What role does Clausewitz think that political goals should
play in war?
7. Does Clausewitz’s reference to war as a
game or as chance make him an evil man, who is insensitive to
the suffering that war brings? What does Clausewitz mean when
he refers to war as a game?
8. What does Clausewitz mean by "an ideal war"?
(see "Diversity in War"). Is an ideal war one that he
would like to see in reality?
9. What is "the wonderful trinity" of
elements that Clausewitz finds in war? Why does he call them "wonderful"?
10. Does Clausewitz’s treatment of the ends
and means of war suggest any restrictions on the conduct of war?
Paper topics:
1. What are the virtues that come into play during
war, according to Clausewitz? Does Clausewitz think that they
are the highest virtues?
2. What are the characteristics that Clausewitz
locates in the individual who has a "genius for war"?
Although Clausewitz argues that to conduct a war to a successful
termination, a general must become a statesman. Does Clausewitz
nevertheless understand that there may be a conflict between the
virtues of a general and the virtues of a statesman?
3 What is Clausewitz’s view of the role of
pride in human life? How does his view differ from that of Augustine?
4. Compare and contrast Clausewitz’s view of
war with that of Thomas.
5. On what different grounds would Clausewitz and
Augustine argue against Kant’s position on "perpetual
peace"?
