Serious up-cannoning on our part, for all its for all its intrinsic vulgarity and first-principle undesirability, may be the only way to prevent scalar inter-civilization conflicts...
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Strong force may be necessary to stop larger conflicts between civilizations.
- In plain terms
- Using force might stop bigger fights.
- What can you take from it?
- Force can prevent greater violence.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is force ever justified?
- How do we prevent war?
Another view
The argument is debatable and subjective.
More from Iain Banks
It was used mainly as a regimental mess and dining hall and so was hung with flags, banners, the hides of enemies, bits and pieces of old weapons and military …
Permalink to quote #3 It was just like some ancient electricity-powered computer; it didn't matter how fast, error-free, and tireless it was, it didn't matter how great a labour-sav…
Permalink to quote #5 A human exposed without protection to the conditions required to support Affronter life would be dying in at least three excitingly different and painful ways …
Permalink to quote #2
Related quotes
It is only for those to employ force who possess strength without judgment; but the well advised will have recourse to other means. Besides, he who pretends to…
XenophonXenophon quote #1 In war, science has proven itself an evil genius; it has made war more terrible than it ever was before. Man used to be content to slaughter his fellowmen on a…
William Jennings BryanWilliam Jennings Bryan quote #8 War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.
Niccolo MachiavelliNiccolo Machiavelli quote #44