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A Philosophy of War
Why We Fight
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Brief Description
According to one wag, war ‘died in Hiroshima’ more than half a century ago. And yet it has never gone away. Terrorist acts, Israeli-Palestinian and Middle Eastern conflicts, the implosion of Yugoslavia, countries torn apart by factions, not to mention other wars: economic, psychological, computer, gender...
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A Philosophy of War
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See moreWar - what is it good for? The best-selling author of A Philosophy of Walking, Frédéric Gros returns with a book on this highly topical subject.
War - what is it good for? The best-selling author of A Philosophy of Walking, Frédéric Gros returns with a book on this highly topical subject.
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Description
According to one wag, war ‘died in Hiroshima’ more than half a century ago. And yet it has never gone away.
Terrorist acts, Israeli-Palestinian and Middle Eastern conflicts, the implosion of Yugoslavia, countries torn apart by factions, not to mention other wars: economic, psychological, computer, gender or generational... Russia's invasion of Ukraine has reshuffled the cards. This time, they say, it's the return of real war, with its atrocities, its horrors, its violence. But what is a real war?
By calling on the great political philosophers, from Plato to Marx, via Machiavelli and Hobbes, A Philosophy of War attempts to answer this question, along with a series of others: what is a just war? What moral forces are involved in a conflict? Does the state make war, or does war make the state?
Finally, after exploring the meanings and stakes of the spectre of ‘total’ war, the book tackles the ultimate question: why war?
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781804296028
Publisher: Verso Books
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 13 January 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Verso Books
Edition: Paperback original
Contributors:
- Translated by Gregory Elliott
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 8.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 98g
Pages: 112
About the Author
Frédéric 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.
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A Philosophy of Walking
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Disobey!
The world is out of joint, so much so that disobeying should be an urgent act for everyone. In this provocative essay, Frédéric Gros explores the roots of political obedience, social conformity, economic subjection, respect for authorities, and constitutional consensus. Examining the various styles of obedience provides tools to study, invent, and induce new forms of civic disobedience and lyrical...Hardback$3999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
A Philosophy of Shame
Can shame become a source of political strength? Faced with injustice, growing inequality and systemic violence, we cry out in shame. We feel ashamed of obscene wealth amid wider deprivation. We feel ashamed of humanity for its ruthless and relentless exploitation of the earth. We feel ashamed of the racism and sexism that permeate society and our everyday lives. This...Hardback$3999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Pre-orderA Philosophy of Shame
Can shame become a source of political strength? Faced with injustice, growing inequality and systemic violence, we cry out in shame. We feel ashamed of obscene wealth amid wider deprivation. We feel ashamed of humanity for its ruthless and relentless exploitation of the earth. We feel ashamed of the racism and sexism that permeate society and our everyday lives. This...Paperback$2299Unit price /UnavailableOut 3 Nov 2026Pre-order -
A Philosophy of Walking
A Philosophy of Walking by Frédéric Gros is a profound journey into the act of walking and its significance in our lives. This erudite and thought-provoking book delves into various aspects of walking, exploring it as more than just a means of transportation but as a powerful philosophical endeavour. Each step is a reflection, each path a narrative, as Gros...PaperbackSold Out
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