"The real trouble with war (modern war) is that it gives no one a chance to kill the right people"
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Ezra Pound's quote, "The real difficulty with war (modern-day war) is that it provides no one a chance to eliminate the right individuals", offers a provocative critique of the nature of warfare, particularly modern warfare. At its core, this statement challenges the notion of sensible or targeted violence in war, suggesting that the chaos and intricacy of modern-day conflicts hardly ever, if ever, allow for the accuracy and ethical clarity that might be implied by the idea of combatants targeting "the right people."
First of all, Pound's use of the term "contemporary war" highlights the industrialized and highly advanced nature of 20th-century disputes, marked by enormous armies, advanced weapons, and typically substantial civilian casualties. Unlike ancient or medieval warfare, where combat tended to be more personal and direct, modern war frequently involves complex systems and confidential procedures that obscure the person's role. This mechanization of war means that choices and actions are typically removed from their instant human repercussions, making it challenging to make sure that only those considered responsible for aggressiveness or injustice are the ones who suffer the impact of violence.
Pound may likewise be critiquing the moral and existential confusion inherent in contemporary disputes. Wars are often justified through various ideological, political, or financial reasons, however the truth on the ground is that they affect large numbers of innocents who have little to do with the top-level choices leading to war. Civilians, non-combatants, and even conscripted soldiers become interchangeable parts of a war device that pays little heed to individual fault or justice.
Even more, the quote can be interpreted as a philosophical reflection on the futility of trying to deal with human conflicts through violence. The idea that there are "right" people to kill in war is brought into question, suggesting that genuine resolution and peace need more advanced methods beyond the battlefield. In essence, Pound's statement requires a much deeper self-questioning on the ethics of war, questioning whether any war can justly discriminate between the guilty and the innocent within its inherently indiscriminate and harmful nature.
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