James L. Holmes reflects on philosopher Robert Nozick’s insightful essay “Why Do Intellectuals Oppose Capitalism?” as a point of departure for considering why intellectuals oppose the military. Citing Nozick’s belief that intellectuals set the terms for public debate in general, Holmes concludes:
If wordsmith intellectuals indeed frame debates on affairs of state – in particular war and peace – then their views and prejudices must be taken into account in public discourse. Our system of civil-military relations could depend on it.