Should we consider war to be a science or an art?

Theories of War

Concepts Covered Art vs Science Paradoxical Trinity Sun Tzu vs Clausewitz

War as a Science Scientific Revolution + Enlightenment = military theory regarded as mathematical and scientific A general who was well-versed in mathematical logic and knew topography should be able to plan and win a war with geometrical precision Roots in principles of Sun Tzu

War as a Science War as a science derives from advancements in weaponry and technology Most notable advancements have come from World War II forward Weaponry today is clearly the result of science

The Paradoxical Trinity War must serve a rational political purpose May become dominated by emotions or unforeseen strokes of genius Military commanders and political leaders must always keep passions and chance subordinate to reason.

The Paradoxical Trinity A simple model: Figure out how the three dominant tendencies (passion, genius, and reason) of one belligerent will interact with that of the other belligerent To figure this out one must calculate how the people, the military, and the government interact in the enemy’s state and in one’s own

Clauswitz- “On War” Clausewitz’s analysis

The Paradoxical Trinity Clausewitz “Paradoxical Trinity” makes the case for war as an art. It describes the “fog of war” components In reality Sun Tzu validates war as an art with his breakdowns of how to conduct war amid its variables As an art, principles of war are still taught and sought out The United States Army shares a common military theories as Europeans