DIALECTICAL THINKING FOR MILITARY INFORMATICS

Abstract

Dialectics (dialectical thinking) is a method for study of  contra­dict­ions and contradictory systems. It offers the thinker a small set of rather simple thinking operations; but it is also based on a distinct, dialectical view of the world—the world full of contradictions that are in endless dynamic change.

Military affairs need dialectical thinking. Rational–instrumental methods are used thoroughly in modern warfare. Despite the great effect of rational means–ends methods, there appears to be something in the very nature of war that places certain limits to what rationalism can achieve in war.

Dynamic contradiction is an essential element of war. It is therefore quite to be expected that a specialized method—a study of contradictions—is employed, together with rational–instrumental methods, to military problems.

From the pragmatic point of view, elements of dialectical thinking can be best employed as heuristic aids that help bring more variety,  flexibility and innovativeness into military theorist’s or practitioner’s mind. Indeed, elements of dialectics have long history in military discourse and is present, though not always explicitly, in several major military theoretical systems.

The aim of this writing is to gather, systematize and present information on the uses of dialectical thinking in military information management (informatics) issues. The work is organized into six sections.

Section I  The concept and origins of dialectical thinking

Section II Techniques of dialectical thinking  Sources and deve­lop­ment of dialectical thinking: ancient Greece, Chinese, Hegel, Marx. Principal operations of dialectical thinking—a typology. Three lev­els: con­cepts, trends (tendencies), ideas. Eight forms of dia­lec­ti­cal thinking: (1) identification of opposing trends; (2) iden­tification of contradictions; (3) identification of hidden opposite concepts; (4) analysis of dynamics of the concept and the opposing concept; (5) analysis of contradiction in the concept; (6) analysis of the deve­l­op­ment of the concept; (7) identification of the opposite position or idea; (8) dialectical synthesis (thesis—antithesis—syn­the­sis).

Section III Dialectics of some information management problems  Eleven information management problems that are suitable for dialectical analysis.

Section IV The need for dialectical thinking in military affairs.  Inherent complexity of military problems. Rational instrumentalism is extremely powerful yet has limits. Dialectical thinking in military affairs has long history—Chinese (Sun Tzu), German (Clausewitz), Soviet.

Section V Some military issues that require dialectical treatment   Twelve issues are presented and most of them briefly characterized.

Section VI On application of dialectical thinking  Remarks on how to benefit from application of dialectical thinking.