Just War and Pacifism
Ulzhan Mukasheva
09/11/13
Religious Studies
Just War and Pacifism
(I) Examine the view that some wars can be justified. (21) What is just war? It’s the act of war that must be justified because of the considerable losses which war entails. Pacifism? The pacifist will pursue every other option a prior to resorting to war. War actually has some advantages and can be justified; mainly it establishes peace. It stimulates the economy e.g. weapon development, employment, reparations, rebuilding. War raises consciousness of civil and human rights. It also advances technology and medicine. The Just War theory was developed my Augustine during the 3rd century and Aquinas during 13th century. This theory responded to the need for Christians to fight for the defense of the empire, but without compromising Christian principles, following Constantine’s conversion to Christianity. There are three categories: jus ad bellum (conditions for going to war), jus in bello (conditions during war), and jus post bellum (conditions for ending war). Jus ad bellum has to have a just cause e.g. liberation from oppression, to restore peace, protect the innocent, and self defense. Last resort which means after all peaceful methods of negotiation, sanctions; isolation; have failed. The legitimate authority has to approve e.g. the elected or recognized government of the land; religious authority if appropriate; military government that is the legitimate authority. A just intention should be present, a just outcome as means e.g. not to take a nation’s wealth is the process of lecturing peace. There should be a comparison of justice on both sides; in principle both sides should have a just cause and a just intention. A reasonable likelihood of success, do not commit a nation to an unwinnable war that will lead to increasing suffering. Also, the level of weaponry should be proportionate to the offense e.g. conflict becoming a country for a dispute over trade. Jus in Bello, the
09/11/13
Religious Studies
Just War and Pacifism
(I) Examine the view that some wars can be justified. (21) What is just war? It’s the act of war that must be justified because of the considerable losses which war entails. Pacifism? The pacifist will pursue every other option a prior to resorting to war. War actually has some advantages and can be justified; mainly it establishes peace. It stimulates the economy e.g. weapon development, employment, reparations, rebuilding. War raises consciousness of civil and human rights. It also advances technology and medicine. The Just War theory was developed my Augustine during the 3rd century and Aquinas during 13th century. This theory responded to the need for Christians to fight for the defense of the empire, but without compromising Christian principles, following Constantine’s conversion to Christianity. There are three categories: jus ad bellum (conditions for going to war), jus in bello (conditions during war), and jus post bellum (conditions for ending war). Jus ad bellum has to have a just cause e.g. liberation from oppression, to restore peace, protect the innocent, and self defense. Last resort which means after all peaceful methods of negotiation, sanctions; isolation; have failed. The legitimate authority has to approve e.g. the elected or recognized government of the land; religious authority if appropriate; military government that is the legitimate authority. A just intention should be present, a just outcome as means e.g. not to take a nation’s wealth is the process of lecturing peace. There should be a comparison of justice on both sides; in principle both sides should have a just cause and a just intention. A reasonable likelihood of success, do not commit a nation to an unwinnable war that will lead to increasing suffering. Also, the level of weaponry should be proportionate to the offense e.g. conflict becoming a country for a dispute over trade. Jus in Bello, the