On Human Conflict—
The Philosophical Foundations of War and Peace
On Human Conflict excavates the cavernous philosophical foundations of war and peace. The magnum opus is bracketed by the author’s experience of the Cuban missile crisis as a schoolboy, and his witnessing of 9/11 as an adult. It studies the human species with an admixture of evolutionary insight, free-ranging horror, and heavily-guarded optimism. It is also the uncensored voice of a conservative philosopher who dares to speak his mind on contemporary conflicts–including the “culture” and “gender” wars, and Islamic jihad—in an age when political correctness has lowered an “Ivy Curtain” prohibiting freedom of expression on campus, and across Western civilization entire.
“Deftly weaving historical and philosophical strands into a dense tapestry exploring the socio-biological, technological and metaphysical foundations of war and peace . . . On Human Conflict will warmly reward those who embark on the journey!”
—Seán Cleary, Executive Vice Chairperson of FutureWorld Foundation
“In this encyclopedic, inter-disciplinary and engaging tour de force, Lou Marinoff . . . leaves open the possibility of searching for and reaching peace.”
—Arie M. Kacowicz, Professor and Chaim Weizmann Chair in International Relations, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
“This is an amazing book—gargantuan, both in size and in scope, and in the breadth of its scholarship (where did he, in just one life, manage to read all those books?!), and with no quarter given . . . If you’re interested in peace and the prospects for it—and who isn’t?— you have to read this!”
—Jan Narveson, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, University of Waterloo
“Lou Marinoff has written a book as singular as his journey as one of the world’s leading philosophers . . . an indispensable book—original, crisp, and thought-provoking throughout.
—Frank-Jürgen Richter, Chairman and Founder of Horasis
“Rigorous in its analyses and exhaustive in its scholarship, the work takes challenging and controversial positions all the while exhibiting a deep seated humanity and relentless sanity . . . a must read for all those concerned with the possibility of peaceful human flourishing.”
—Darren Staloff, Professor of History, The City College of the City University of New York
“In his quest to understand war and peace, Marinoff travels a vast expanse of philosophy, biology, history and mathematics, and ends up with a masterpiece that is profound and realistic, ambitious and humble at the same time.”
—Sundeep Waslekar, President of Strategic Foresight Group
See video of book launch at The City College of New York, May 2, 2019.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter Zero: Epistle to the Reader, From Grounds Zero
Chapter One: The Problem of War—An Overview
Chapter Two: The Mathematics of Conflict—War Ill-Described
Chapter Three: The Hobbesian Conflict—War Well-Described
Chapter Four: The Etiology of Conflict
Chapter Five: The Nature of Conflict
Chapter Six: The Nurture of Conflict
Chapter Seven: The Study of Conflict
Chapter Eight: Conclusions and Inconclusions, from Point Omega
References
Index
About the Author
See video of book launch at The City College of New York, May 2, 2019.