On Military Theory
Abstract
All too often, the critical importance of military theory either is not well understood or is completely ignored by many officers. A reason for this is their apparent lack of knowledge and understanding of the relationship between theory and practice and the real purpose of military theory. Many officers are also contemptuous of theory because they overemphasize the importance of technology. The purpose of theory is not to provide rules and regulations for action -- to prescribe a certain road that an officer should follow. Military theory should develop a way of thinking rather than prescribe rules of war. Clausewitz wrote that military theory is most valuable when it is used to analyze and critically assess all the components and elements of warfare. It then becomes a guide for anyone who wants to read about war. Theory prevents one from having to start fresh each time, plowing through material and then sorting out the pertinent details. A sound military theory is essential both for an understanding of past wars and for the successful conduct of a future war. It provides the badly needed broader and deeper framework for understanding the entire spectrum of warfare. Military theory is greatly affected by scientific theories of a certain era and their interpretation by leading philosophers. Since the turn of the 20th century, numerous scientific theories have emerged. They have been accompanied by a large number of diverse philosophic interpreters. Some of the new theories, such as general systems theory, are highly controversial and even pseudoscientific. Postmodern philosophy is also controversial, and it represents just one of many philosophical currents. Yet it has been adopted as a foundation of SOD and the U.S. Army's "design."
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA546600
Entities
People
- Milan Vego
Organizations
- Naval War College