Preview

Outline the concepts of just war and pacifism

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1943 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Outline the concepts of just war and pacifism
Outline the key concepts of Just War and Pacifism. A01 [21]
The Just war theory maintains that war may be justified if fought only in certain circumstances, and only if certain restrictions are applied to the way in which war is fought. The theory that was first propounded by St Augustine of Hippo and St Ambrose of Milan ( 4th and 5th centuries AD) attempts to clarify two fundamental questions: ‘when is it right to fight?’ and ‘How should war be fought?’. Whereas Pacifists are people mainly Christians who reject the use of violence and the deliberate killing of civilians but claims that peace is intrinsically good and ought to be upheld either as a duty and that war can never be justifiable. However, Realists agree that, due to the nature of humans, force is a necessary action to be used to maintain a just and ordered society. Therefore, since the Second World War, people have turned their attention to Just War again establishing rules that can serve as guidelines to a just war- the Hague and Geneva conventions.
Many Christians had taken the view that war may be justifiable under certain circumstances, and only if fought observing certain rules of conduct. Wars against the Muslim control of Jerusalem in the 11th-13th centuries were sometimes seen as holy wars which were popularly regarded as Crusades. Some philosophers based their justifications on the stories in the Bible. For example, St Paul in Romans 13:4 wrote that rulers are servants of God ‘…for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil’. In the 13th century, Thomas Aquinas gave an outline (the first three criteria of a just war) on the Justification of war and the kinds of acts that are allowed in a war in Summa Theologica. His ideas became the model of later scholars such as Franciso Suarez and Francisco de Vitoria.
The first three conditions necessary for a just war were listed by Aquinas which included right authority, just cause and just intention. These and

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    EXPOSITION The justification of war — both in terms of jus in bello and jus ad bellum — is a difficult and complex task. This difficulty is increased immensely when trying to apply just war principles to terrorism, a complicated mix of typical and unconventional tactics that can be performed by both established and state governments. In the essay, I will critically address the discussion of terrorism by Michael Walzer in chapter 12 of “Just and Unjust Wars” (1977) and advocate for the justification of revolutionary terrorism. Walzer’s judgment of terrorism oversimplifies and neglects important complexities that must be considered in the ethical analysis of terrorism.…

    • 1768 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Aldous Huxley provides strong and valid points in An Encyclopedia of Pacifism favoring the widespread use of pacifism. He actively responds to critics throughout his essay while also providing his own ideas and opinions about certain subjects. The main focuses of his argument is if war is a natural state and the justification of pacifism. While Huxley admits that pacifism is not a perfect policy, he also feels that it has not been implemented on a large enough scale to show its real effects. One thing is for certain though and that is war will not be the permanent solution to addressing indifferences.…

    • 103 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Just War theory tries to judge whether it is ‘just’ to go to war and how the war should be fought. It tries to reconcile three things; taking a human life is seriously wrong. That states have a duty to defend their citizens and defend justice and thirdly protecting innocent human life and defending important moral values.…

    • 581 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    During the World War II battle some people believed that pacifism was the answer toward stopping it. George Orwell, one of the most important controversial writers during the twentieth century, was stunned and enraged at the people who believed pacifism would help end the war. How can someone expect to win by being pacifist when the enemy cannot be reasoned with? Orwell’s passionate antifascism during War World II led him into conflict with the liberal pacifist movement. This led him to attack back against active pacifist with his writings in the “London Letter”, a column in the American magazine Partisan Review .This addressed how pacifism during a war does nothing to stop the enemy but instead gives them the upper hand. Orwell’s assertion that pacifism during World War II aids the enemy is correct.…

    • 980 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    A review of chapter 2, 'The Crime of War' in Michael Walzer's book, "Just and Unjust Wars: A moral argument with historical illustrations." Allen Lane 1997.…

    • 984 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Compared to the early 20th century, the wars of today are vastly different. The reasons for fighting, the styles of fighting, and who is fighting are all very different. However, in an age that is far removed from the past, a few things regarding war have remained the unchanged. One of the ideas that has remained unchanged in a time that is every changing, are the rules of war, as described by Michael Walzer in his book, Just and Unjust Wars. Naturally, in a time where so much has changed, there are starting to be a few objections to Walzer’s claims on the rules of war. Even though the wars of today are far different from those of the past, the moral equality of soldiers remains the same regardless if they are associated with being on an unjust…

    • 1191 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Just War Theory In Vietnam

    • 1545 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The part of the just war theory is called jus ad bellum. There must be a just cause, right authority, proportionality, the goal of peace, with war as a last resort. A country cannot attack another country for more wealth or for more respect. They must attack on behalf of an innocent third country or group. Right authority means that war must be declared by the proper authorities and not by private companies. Proportionality means that the potential war must be assessed regarding the cost of the war and the benefits from the war. The country must also decide whether or not the potential gains outweigh the loss of human lives and the cost of the war. Next, “will the destructiveness of the proposed conflict outweigh any enhancement of other human values?” That means will the war any enhance aspects of the human life more than the violence that will occur during the war. The purpose of the war must be for peace, not solely to win glory. Finally, the war must be a last resort, meaning that all other methods for peace must be attempted before resorting to…

    • 1545 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Just War

    • 634 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Force should be used when there are legitimate reasons for using it, and when it is the last resort for the government, who is responsible for civic peace. Elshtain uses Augustine to discuss justice and war. A paradox between war and peace is introduced, Elshtain uses an Augustine quote to discuss the similarity of two words that are complete polar opposites, “Peace and war had a contest in cruelty, and peace won the prize.” In history, there are many instances where evil and horrible things are done in the name of ‘peace’. Elshtain continues with the early Christian beliefs that under Jesus’ teaches forbid force in anyway, even under authority. Later, it transforms to the necessity of force to protect others. This leads to the four qualifications that Elshtain wrote to justify a war, the first is that the war must be publicly declared by a legitimate jurisdiction. The second criteria is that an unjust violence must have occurred against the government’s own people or a defenseless group. Third, the war has to be start with the proper motives. Finally, all other alternatives must be exhausted before leading to war. In the end, Elshtain includes a final criteria that must be met for a war to be ‘just’, the possibility of actually winning the conflict. If there is no chance of succeeding, the conflict should not be…

    • 634 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This article “Just War Tradition” also refer to as Just War Theory is related to war because it explains the principles and morals behind on taking war as a last resort solution only if the options don't meet the requirements. Also, in the case of war was to happen they discussed on when and where warfare is appropriate to be taken place. Including that, the Just War Tradition was originally discovered by the Christians and their based it on their philosophy. Then theorist Saint Augustine made who made other factions to their philosophy for a better outcome. As years passed another theorist named Michael Walzer stepped in but this time around modernize the principles. The government must apply two principles the first principle is Jus ad Bellum…

    • 346 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    St. Augustine was a fifth century Bishop of Hippo. He is credited with building the foundation of Christian just war theory. He describes that individuals of Christianity do not have authority to resort to violence if only themselves or property are threatened. Though these Christians should be compelled to protect innocents who are being attacked. Even if it means sacrificing themselves in the process. Augustine’s just war teachings were developed from old Roman legal tradition. The right of authority is vested with the state. Those who fall under the car of the state are expected to bear arms in defense of all under this car. There were also strict limits on how many wars could be fought. Augustine’s teachings combined with other philosophies and became what is now known as Western just war tradition (102).…

    • 454 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The Just War Theory

    • 1946 Words
    • 8 Pages

    What justifies war? Who justifies it? Why as human beings do we feel the need to fight, harm, and kill others to achieve certain goals? These questions have been pertinent to our society since the beginning of time and continue to challenge us to better understand the human psyche, and code of ethics that give Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines credence to kill in the name of the United States of America. These ethics of war lay the foundation for that code of understanding and righteousness for when it is justifiable to pull the trigger and take the life of another, or commit an act of war.…

    • 1946 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Just War Pacifism

    • 2476 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Human beings have been fighting with each other since prehistoric times, and people have been discussing the rights and wrongs of it. The Ethics of War begins by assuming that war is a bad thing, and should be avoided if possible, but there can be situations when war may be catastrophic. War is a bad thing because it involves deliberately killing or injuring people, and this is a fundamental wrong. The purpose of war ethics is to help decide what is right or wrong, both for individuals and countries, and to contribute to debates on public policy, and ultimately to government and individual action.…

    • 2476 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Final

    • 2012 Words
    • 5 Pages

    War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing! Around the World everyday there is some type of war happening. War affect everyone and thousands or even millions die because of war. The problem or issue that I’m going to talk about is why war is morally wrong and can war ever be justified. This Essay will talk about many thing including the three traditions of thought that dominate the ethics of war and peace: Realism; Pacifism; and the Just War Theory. Another thing I’m going to talk about is why war should be understood as an actual intentional and widespread armed conflict between political communities. I’m also going talk where does the church stand on the topic of war. There are lots of debates on war whether it a good thing or an awful thing on the face of the earth. So the controversy behind this topic that some people believe that you can achieve a common good by going to war. By that I mean war help out the economy, For Example in 1930’s The Great Depression was happening and World War II brought jobs that caused The Great Depression to end. The Other group of people believe that going to war is completely wrong, that you will not achieve anything and make the situation worst. For Example, pretend the rebel took out the angry dictator, the country will be unsettled with no government or Constitution. Post World War II, The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization established 24 October 1945, to promote international co-operation. A replacement for the ineffective League of Nations, the organization was created following the Second World War to prevent another such conflict. Most of the time War violate human rights, For Example in World War Two there was a Jewish Genocide. Acts of genocide violate the most fundamental and broadly accepted principles of human conduct. The World Wars, and the huge losses of life and gross abuses of human rights that took place during them, were a driving force behind the development of modern human…

    • 2012 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Just War Essay

    • 557 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Just authority is that you must have a justified reason on why you went to war such as a legitimate political or legal reason on why you went to war . The next guideline on going to a just war is last resort. To be able to go to war, and have a just war it must be the last resort that cold have been taken when all the peaceful options are not working. For a war to be considered a just war you must have legitmate authority meaning that you must have authority from the government, not an outside individual or group to be able to be considered a just war. You must have good intentions on why you are going to war. The main objective of a just war must be to re-establish peace or order enable for it to be considered a just war. You must have a probability of success, you cannot enter the war with hopelessness and no chanch of success. You must have Proportionality for the war for the war to consider an just war. The nations involved in the war must avoid disproportionate military action and only use the amount of force absolutely necessary. The last thing you must have in a just war is Civilian Casualties. You must be able to distinguish between the militia and…

    • 557 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Living by this moral principle can cause a greater harm by turning the other cheek than by using force to deminish a greater threat. There is always going to be people seeking out power or people who have different beliefs and morals because it is engraved within ourselves through generation after generation. Jan Narveson directly states a pacifists view, "His belief is not only that violence is evil but also that it is morally wrong to use force to resist, punish, or prevent violence. We are aggressive and greedy people and to change the thinking of the entire world with out the threat of force seems nearly impossible. Hypathetically, if pacifism was put into law, the use of any type of force will be breaking the law and the sentence is life in prison. Now imagine if a man breaks into a house of a young lady and rapes this lady and then pulls a gun out to shoot her. If the woman grabs the gun and shoots the man, she would also be sent to prison for life because any use of force is labelled as unacceptable. In our society today, violence is happening everyday even though we have laws in place to minimize them. Violence is not only a thing of the past but it is a thing of the future and without a proper punishment, violence will increase drastically. Narveson communicates a second version of pacifism where " one might argue that pacifism is desirable as a tactic: that as a matter of fact, some good end, such as the reduction of violence itself , is to be achieved by 'turning the other cheek'. " This again is a good theory, but if it was put into action, the consequences would be great. A human has the right to defend themselves, or help a person that is in need. In war it is the same thing but instead of one person needing help, it is a population worth of needed help. A person claiming they are a pure hearted pacifist by " turning the other cheek" does not necessarily make it the best…

    • 1929 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays