A Philosophy of War
Why We Fight
Published on 13. January 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
112 pages
978-1-80429-602-8 (ISBN)
Description
Russia's invasion of Ukraine seems to many like a throwback to another age, rattling Europe with memories of past horrors. But since the end of the Second World War there has not been a single day without armed conflict somewhere in the world. Drawing on the great political philosophers, from Plato to Marx, via Machiavelli and Hobbes, Frederic Gros attempts to answer the age-old questions regarding humanity's propensity to wage war: What is a just war? What moral constraints operate on the combatants? Does the state make war or does war make the state? Finally, after exploring the meaning and the spectre of total war, he tackles the ultimate question: Why war?
Reviews / Votes
A brilliant essay. * Lire-Magazine litteraire * In 162 pages as clear as they are dense, Gros in the lineage of Raymond Aron, untangles this mystery of the dark side of humanity. * Le Point * Masterful. * Nice Matin * An accessible essay that asks questions as crucial as they are dizzying. * Marianne * A beautiful philosophical lesson. -- PsychologiesMore details
Edition
Paperback original
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
108 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80429-602-8 (9781804296028)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Persons
Frederic Gros is both philosopher and writer. In France, he was the leading editor of Michel Foucault's works and lectures. He teaches political humanities at Sciences-po Paris. His first major success was a book on walking (A Philosophy of Walking), translated into some twenty languages.
Content
Introduction: This Time, It Really is War
1 Really a 'Return' of War?
2 Heroism and Barbarism
3 What is a 'Just' War?
4 The State Makes War and War Makes the State
5 The Idea of Total War
6 Why War?
Conclusion: And War for the Sake of What Peace.
Index
1 Really a 'Return' of War?
2 Heroism and Barbarism
3 What is a 'Just' War?
4 The State Makes War and War Makes the State
5 The Idea of Total War
6 Why War?
Conclusion: And War for the Sake of What Peace.
Index