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Carl Phillip Gottfried von Clausewitz (1780-1831)  

'''Carl Phillip Gottfried von Clausewitz''' (1780-1831)  

Also Known As: Carl Maria von Clausewitz, Carl Philipp Gottlieb von Clausewitz, Karl von Clausewitz.

Also Known As: Carl Maria von Clausewitz, Carl Philipp Gottlieb von Clausewitz, Karl von Clausewitz.

Brief Biography of Carl von Clausevitz.

'''Brief Biography of Carl von Clausevitz.'''

Carl von Clausewitz was born in 1780 in Burg, Kingdom of Prussia [3]. He was born in a middle-class family [4]. Despite its quite humble origin his family had claims to noble origins which eventually have been officially recognized [5]. In the year 1792 as a 12 year old boy Carl von Clausewitz has entered Prussian army as a cadet in 34th Infantry Regiment. One year later, at a tender age of thirteen he participated in his first military campaign fighting against revolutionary French forces [6]. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant at age 15 when he stationed with his garrison at Neuruppin  [4], [6]. In order to continue his military and general education he entered the Berlin War Academy at the age of 21. There he met his very influential mentor General Gerhard von Scharnhorst who at that time directed this military school. General von Scharnhorst became later a leader and a reformer of the Prussian Army and an important political figure in Prussia. In addition to being influenced by von Scharnhorst’s strategic theories, young von Clausewitz studied diligently history and philosophy – especially ideas of Immanuel Kant [7]. In year 1804 von Clausewitz graduated “summa cum laude” from the War Academy, and was appointed as a military assistant (aide-de-camp) to Prussian Prince August. In the same year he met his future wife - a prominent Berlin’s socialite Marie von Brühl  [4], [6].  

Carl von Clausewitz was born in 1780 in Burg, Kingdom of Prussia [3]. He was born in a middle-class family [4]. Despite its quite humble origin his family had claims to noble origins which eventually have been officially recognized [5]. In the year 1792 as a 12 year old boy Carl von Clausewitz has entered Prussian army as a cadet in 34th Infantry Regiment. One year later, at a tender age of thirteen he participated in his first military campaign fighting against revolutionary French forces [6]. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant at age 15 when he stationed with his garrison at Neuruppin  [4], [6]. In order to continue his military and general education he entered the Berlin War Academy at the age of 21. There he met his very influential mentor General Gerhard von Scharnhorst who at that time directed this military school. General von Scharnhorst became later a leader and a reformer of the Prussian Army and an important political figure in Prussia. In addition to being influenced by von Scharnhorst’s strategic theories, young von Clausewitz studied diligently history and philosophy – especially ideas of Immanuel Kant [7]. In year 1804 von Clausewitz graduated “summa cum laude” from the War Academy, and was appointed as a military assistant (aide-de-camp) to Prussian Prince August. In the same year he met his future wife - a prominent Berlin’s socialite Marie von Brühl  [4], [6].  

Importance of ideas of von Clausewitz.

'''Importance of ideas of von Clausewitz.'''

Some historians due to their political bias describe ideas conceived by von Clausewitz as a direct product of the “Napoleonic era”. The objective scholar, however, has to question such a notion. One of the most amazing features of von Clausewitz’s philosophy was the ability to transcend his contemporary political and historical reality. This is the reason that his works were not forgotten, nor they are perceived as outmoded today. Von Clausewitz‘s most enlightening discovery was that one universal element unifying all existence is a constant and unpredictable struggle. This discovery was as brilliant, as it was simple. Von Clausewitz’ books were written in a specific political and historical setting, therefore, he had to use examples and analogies which would be understood by his contemporary readers. However, those analogies and examples were illustrating ideas and concepts of the most universal and fundamental nature.  

Some historians due to their political bias describe ideas conceived by von Clausewitz as a direct product of the “Napoleonic era”. The objective scholar, however, has to question such a notion. One of the most amazing features of von Clausewitz’s philosophy was the ability to transcend his contemporary political and historical reality. This is the reason that his works were not forgotten, nor they are perceived as outmoded today. Von Clausewitz‘s most enlightening discovery was that one universal element unifying all existence is a constant and unpredictable struggle. This discovery was as brilliant, as it was simple. Von Clausewitz’ books were written in a specific political and historical setting, therefore, he had to use examples and analogies which would be understood by his contemporary readers. However, those analogies and examples were illustrating ideas and concepts of the most universal and fundamental nature.  

Von Clausewitz was by all means a modern scientist. Yet, his own discussion of war theory is not rigorously dry or pretentiously “mathematical”. In fact, he himself ridiculed the popular in the XIX century thesis that one can create a "science of war” or “science of all things” for that matter [17]. As an objective scientist he was way ahead of his times. In a contrast to his contemporaries he understood limitations of science and its inherent deficiencies.

Von Clausewitz was by all means a modern scientist. Yet, his own discussion of war theory is not rigorously dry or pretentiously “mathematical”. In fact, he himself ridiculed the popular in the XIX century thesis that one can create a "science of war” or “science of all things” for that matter [17]. As an objective scientist he was way ahead of his times. In a contrast to his contemporaries he understood limitations of science and its inherent deficiencies.

Main ideas of von Clausewitz

'''Main ideas of von Clausewitz'''

Christopher Bassford - American scholar fascinated by the Prussian war philosopher - has elegantly summarized the importance of reading the actual text of von Clausewitz:

Christopher Bassford - American scholar fascinated by the Prussian war philosopher - has elegantly summarized the importance of reading the actual text of von Clausewitz:

“Unfortunately, the annoying thing about von Clausewitz is that, in order to understand him, you actually have to read his book - rather than some convenient précis, written, most likely, by some wannabe-competitor, propagandist, special pleader, or historical hack writer. Even if it is honestly and competently done, any attempt to summarize von Clausewitz is inherently misleading. This is true in part because von Clausewitz's dialectical method is at least as important as any particular insight that he offers. But all of von Clausewitz's insights are woven together in a fascinating whole; efforts to extract particular "nuggets" are destructive to a genuine understanding.” [17]

''“Unfortunately, the annoying thing about von Clausewitz is that, in order to understand him, you actually have to read his book - rather than some convenient précis, written, most likely, by some wannabe-competitor, propagandist, special pleader, or historical hack writer. Even if it is honestly and competently done, any attempt to summarize von Clausewitz is inherently misleading. This is true in part because von Clausewitz's dialectical method is at least as important as any particular insight that he offers. But all of von Clausewitz's insights are woven together in a fascinating whole; efforts to extract particular "nuggets" are destructive to a genuine understanding.”'' [17]

Keeping the above in mind, and encouraging everybody to read and understand the original text “On war” the following selected principles will be discussed below:

Keeping the above in mind, and encouraging everybody to read and understand the original text “On war” the following selected principles will be discussed below:

• Realistic approach.  Von Clausewitz elected to use a realistic as opposed to idealistic approach in his analysis of war [17], [19]. His treatise is a pragmatic description of an intricate and volatile matrix of never-ending struggle. In a systematic but not overly pedantic way he provides an account of complex interactions between unquantifiable human psyche and harsh realities of physical world in the process of armed conflict.

• Realistic approach.  Von Clausewitz elected to use a realistic as opposed to idealistic approach in his analysis of war [17], [19]. His treatise is a pragmatic description of an intricate and volatile matrix of never-ending struggle. In a systematic but not overly pedantic way he provides an account of complex interactions between unquantifiable human psyche and harsh realities of physical world in the process of armed conflict.

References:

'''References:'''

1. Blaschke, R., Carl von Clausewitz, der soldat und kriegsphilosoph. 1936, Leipzig,: P. Reclam jun. 78 p.

1. Blaschke, R., Carl von Clausewitz, der soldat und kriegsphilosoph. 1936, Leipzig,: P. Reclam jun. 78 p.