2007/02/01 by Terence M. Holmes, T. Michael Holmes · 2 citations
Engineering · Psychology · Social Sciences · #Adversary #Anthropology: Ethics, History, Culture #CHAOS (operating system) #Computer science #Computer security #Economics #Epistemology #Genius #History #Management #Military History and Strategy #Military Strategy and Technology #Philosophy #Plan (archaeology) #Political science #Psychology #Theme (computing)
paper · doi:10.1080/01402390701210855
openalex publication_date 2007/02/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Clausewitz laid great emphasis on the planned construction of war, but this idea has received little attention from his commentators, who generally attach far greater importance to what he said about the chaotic elements of war, in particular its interactive nature and the friction inseparable from its conduct. This article gives long-overdue recognition to planning as a dominant theme of On War. The essential point Clausewitz makes concerning interaction is not that the enemy's responses are bound to disrupt our plans, but that our plans must aim to predict and incorporate his responses. Clausewitz acknowledges that friction creates enormous difficulties for the realization of any plan, but it is precisely in respect of this challenge that he develops the concept of military genius, whose capabilities are seen above all as the executive arm of planning.