Targets of Opportunity: On the Militarization of Thinking

Delve into the complex relationship between targeting, vulnerability, and intentionality with Samuel Weber's groundbreaking book, *Targets of Opportunity: On the Militarization of Thinking*. This thought-provoking work, published by Fordham University Press in 2005, dissects the concept of "targeting" (skopos) as a pervasive structure, extending far beyond the battlefield to shape our understanding of the world and ourselves. Weber, a renowned scholar of philosophy, literature, and media, masterfully guides readers through a journey that intertwines classical literature, political theory, psychoanalysis, and contemporary military strategy. The book's title, echoing a phrase from the Washington Post during the early days of the Iraq War, serves as a critical lens through which Weber examines the impulse to confirm one's own invulnerability by aiming to destroy a perceived target. He argues that this "militarization of thinking" permeates various aspects of culture and thought. Weber begins by exploring the roots of this targeting impulse in Homer's *Odyssey*, analyzing Odysseus's ruthless slaughter of the suitors as a primal example of establishing dominance through elimination. He then turns to the controversial political theorist Carl Schmitt, examining his concept of political form and its connection to Roman Catholicism, revealing the inherent logic of friend/enemy distinctions that underpin much of Western political thought. Further, Weber engages deeply with Sigmund Freud's "Thoughts for the Times on War and Death" and "Moses and Monotheism," dissecting the psychological underpinnings of violence, belief, and the construction of identity. These Freudian readings explore how fear of death and the desire for symbolic immortality fuel aggressive behaviors on both individual and societal levels. However, *Targets of Opportunity* doesn't solely dwell on the destructive aspects of targeting. Weber meticulously traces the emergence of alternative approaches to thinking about security and power. He examines the shift towards "Network Centered Warfare" in military strategy, a move that emphasizes decentralized networks and information sharing over traditional hierarchical command structures. Furthermore, Weber draws inspiration from Walter Benjamin's critical readings of "Capitalism as Religion" and "Two Poems of Friedrich Hlderlin," uncovering alternative models of social organization and human connection that resist the logic of targeting. These analyses point to the possibility of moving beyond the cycle of violence and vulnerability by fostering connection, understanding, and a more nuanced approach to difference. Webers scholarship is known for its depth and breadth, and this book exemplifies that. *Targets of Opportunity* is not merely a philosophical treatise; it is a timely and urgent intervention into contemporary debates about war, politics, and the very nature of thought. It offers a critical framework for understanding the dynamics of conflict in the 21st century and challenges us to imagine alternative possibilities for a more peaceful and just world. This edition, a paperback featuring 164 pages, provides a rich and challenging read for scholars and anyone interested in understanding the complex relationship between power, violence, and the human condition. Weighing in at 213 grams, this book is a substantial contribution to the fields of Western Philosophy, Psychoanalysis, Political Theory, Media Studies, and Deconstruction.