Professor Lou Marinoff is a Professor of Philosophy at The City College of New York and founding president of the American Philosophical Practitioners Association. He is the author of a number of books on philosophy which are international best sellers. In his forthcoming book “On Human Conflict” he says, “These exemplars such as Strategic Foresight Group, among innumerable others, combine rigorous research with extensive field experience in upholding the highest possible standards of peace education, thus informing peace action. Without them, among many others, the world would undoubtedly be a more war-like place.”

SFG was pleased to catch up with Professor Marinoff at the Horasis Global Meeting in Cascais, Portugal in early April.   We interviewed Prof. Marinoff (LM) on his book and his thoughts on power and conflict.

SFG: In your book you have said that there is no mathematical, biological or social justification for war. It is a matter of will.

LM: The major presupposition of the book is that our future is willed but it is not pre-fated. Therefore peace is possible.

SFG: What determines will?

LM: I have never come across this question before! If will can be determined, it would not be will. If there is a strong sense of determination, then it is not free will. As Hobbes said, will is the last appetite and everything is determined by the past.

SFG: Einstein says that war is about the pursuit of power.

LM: Hobbes says that everyone seeks power. We all do what we deem to be good for ourselves. Even alliances are in self-interest. Therefore power is our ability to achieve our own self-interest.

SFG: There are three main schools of thought regarding concert of power. Russell says that it is the ability to get results; Weber says that it is the ability to get others to do what you want, while Hannah Arendt says that is a consultative process.

LM: Russell confirmed that he is a Solipsist, and only knows what exists in his own mind. Weber sees things in community terms, while Arendt looks at social relationships.

SFG: What are the main factors of will that relate to the pursuit of power?

LM: In modern times, power is concentrated in the hands of fewer people. One of the flaws of our character is that there is no end to our acquisitiveness.  We never have enough.  During the course of our evolution, acquisitiveness was a positive trait. However it has now led to greed for land, weapons and power.

SFG: What then are the drivers of hope that could make the end of war possible?

LM: Through globalisation, we have learnt to appreciate other civilisations and people. We now need to bring about a shift in our consciousness. This may be asking for a lot. But there is no alternative. History will repeat itself. Wars will continue to be fought in old and new forms. Cyber-warfare and space warfare can disrupt supply chains and bring the modern economy to an end. If we are not willing to change, there is no alternative but anarchy. The possibility of self-regulation is the only solution.

In most conflicts, politicians take one side or another. There is no principle. Can we as a species evolve unity that can transcend our tribal and other identities? How to evolve a moral compass based on unity of values is the greatest question for humanity.