Clarifying the Confusion of War – A Discourse by Alexander Kluge
In the realm of intellectual discourse, Alexander Kluge, a renowned German filmmaker and writer, has recently published his latest book, "War Primer 2023." The work, published by Suhrkamp and priced at 16 €, is a 126-page exploration of war and its contemporary implications, drawing inspiration from Bertolt Brecht's "War Primer," first published in 1955.
Kluge, born in Halberstadt in the year of a significant drawing's publication, is known for his philosophical and critical works that delve into themes of history, politics, and social critique. The title "War Primer 2023" suggests a focus on war and its modern relevance, possibly incorporating elements of history, politics, and social commentary.
The book is divided into six stations for systematic exploration, with each section offering a unique perspective on the fundamental danger of war. One of the central themes in "War Primer 2023" is the argument that those actively involved in war understand very little, a controversial perspective in an era where the affected's perspective is dominant in analyses.
Kluge advocates for understanding war from the perspective of a newborn to critique its wickedness. He argues that false causes and endings of wars should be studied to develop a theory, citing the false ending of World War I at Versailles as an example.
The book uses the image of aerial combat to represent the danger of war, a metaphor for the conflict that shook Europe last year. This image is from a drawing published in a magazine in 1932. Heiner Müller, a playwright, once said, "Hit tanks are iron coffins," a quote found in Kluge's book at "Station 2."
"War Primer 2023" also contains a chapter titled "Fog of War" that discusses the intellectual challenge of engaging with war and its non-political nature. Another intriguing chapter, "The Wonder of Animals," uses animal illustrations from Friedrich Justin Bertuch's encyclopedic "Picture Book for Children" to depict current conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine.
Critics have accused Kluge's book of ignoring the war in Ukraine, but it actually approaches the latest horror in Europe's east geographically and examines previous conflicts. The book emphasises the importance of understanding war and peace, stating that ending a war requires as much effort as starting one.
Despite the controversy surrounding some of his perspectives, Kluge's work remains a significant contribution to the discourse on war and its implications. His latest book, "War Primer 2023," is a testament to his enduring commitment to critical analysis and social critique.
- Alexander Kluge's book, "War Primer 2023," delves into themes beyond war itself, addressing politics, history, and social critique, reflecting his well-known philosophical and critical works.
- In "War Primer 2023," Kluge argues for examining false causes and endings of wars as a means for learning and developing theories, utilizing the example of the false ending of World War I at Versailles.
- Kluge's book also discusses the intellectual challenge of engaging with war, exploring its non-political nature in the chapter titled "Fog of War," while using animal illustrations from a children's encyclopedia to depict current conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine.
