Meaning: This thought-provoking quote by Martin Creveld, a renowned military historian, challenges the conventional view of war as a mere tool to achieve specific objectives. In this quote, Creveld suggests that the purpose of war is not always to attain a particular goal, but rather that people often embrace objectives as a means to engage in conflict. This concept fundamentally challenges the traditional understanding of warfare and human motivations for engaging in it.

One interpretation of Creveld's quote is that it questions the assumption that war is always a rational means to an end. While it is common to view war as a strategic tool to achieve specific political, territorial, or ideological objectives, Creveld suggests that the desire for conflict can precede and drive the pursuit of these objectives. This challenges the notion that warfare is solely a calculated effort to achieve a predetermined goal, highlighting the complex and multifaceted nature of human motivations in conflict.

Furthermore, the quote implies that the act of fighting itself can be a driving force for individuals or groups. Rather than fighting being a consequence of pursuing a particular goal, Creveld suggests that people may actively seek out objectives as a justification for engaging in conflict. This perspective sheds light on the psychological, cultural, and social dynamics that underpin human propensity for warfare, emphasizing the intrinsic relationship between conflict and human behavior.

Creveld's quote also raises questions about the broader societal, historical, and cultural contexts that shape the motivations for war. It prompts consideration of how factors such as nationalism, ideology, honor, and identity can influence individuals and societies to embrace objectives that lead to conflict. By asserting that people may adopt objectives specifically to facilitate fighting, Creveld draws attention to the intricate interplay between human agency and the broader forces that drive and sustain warfare throughout history.

From a historical perspective, this quote invites reflection on the underlying causes of conflicts and the role of human agency in shaping the trajectory of war. It challenges the deterministic view that wars are solely the result of geopolitical calculations or material interests, highlighting the agency and volition of individuals and societies in actively seeking out and justifying conflict.

In conclusion, Martin Creveld's quote challenges the traditional understanding of war as a means to an end by highlighting the complex and multifaceted motivations behind human engagement in conflict. It prompts a reevaluation of the traditional narratives that frame war as a rational pursuit of specific objectives, emphasizing the deeper psychological, cultural, and social dynamics that underpin human propensity for warfare. By asserting that people may embrace objectives in order to facilitate fighting, Creveld's quote invites a nuanced exploration of the intricate relationship between human motivations and the perpetuation of war throughout history.