...and Gandalf suddenly had a brilliant idea of how to win the war.

[drigel]

Another thought provoking thread here. I think though, as general and as non-contemporary one can make the argument, it stills falls flat against the philosophy of the works.

SPM:

The expanse of Tolkien's works certainly contain much material for discussion but, on this point, the philosophy behind them is remarkably simple.

Well put. For me, the Saruman device reveals the effect of loss of Hope and Faith. The orc issues that is brought up here were merely his tools that he applies himself to after the fact.

As far as the ring goes, for me the ultimate philosophy taking place here is that the ring is a (albiet negative) devine instrument, created by (albiet fallen) an angel. To use this to govern (for good or bad) the environment/events/souls in the physical plane, is the ultimate affront to Eru. This is why (I think) the author ties the fate of the One to the fate of all other rings of power. No matter how benign the original purpose of creating them, they cannot overcome the Defeat.