'JUST WAR' THEORY

'Just War' theory

'Just War' Theory

Introduction

The theory of war "just" deals with the justification of war (jus ad bellum) and how it should be conducts to respect the moral principles that underlie our individual or collective actions. It is therefore, a moral reflection on the goals and means of war from a virtuous vision of human interaction. One guesses immediately that disagreements will originate from the different visions that we have morals. Briefly recall the doctrine of just war by referring to an article by RL Holmes. This sums up this theory in fact, based on a conference organized by the Catholic bishops who resume war theory developed by St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. Just War theorists combine both a moral abhorrence towards war with a readiness to accept that war may sometimes be necessary. The criteria of the just war traditional act as an aid to determining whether resorting to arms is morally permissible.

Indeed the theory of just war has a long history. Without going back to the Bible or Aristotle, we may credit St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas 2 of the first systematic presentation of this theory. It discusses not only the justification of the war but also the behavior to be adopted in such circumstances.

Discussion and analysis

According to just war theory, a just peace' relies on the justice achieved in initiating conflict (jus ad bellum) and waging war. Jus ad bellum can be determined through adherence to six key principles: a just cause, namely resistance of aggression; an actual intention that matches this cause; iii public declaration by a recognized authority; engagement in conflict only as a last resort; some probability of success; and potential benefits that outweigh potential harms. Thus, two additional criteria further the same moral concerns: a principle of discrimination dictates that civilians not targeted, no means mala in se (evil in them) can be used, and prisoners of war adequately treated; while a principle of proportionality, demands that the force employed are not overshadow the ends sought. These "rules of war' present criteria that are individually necessary and jointly sufficient conditions for securing justice in times of conflict, or in judging the justness of actions already undertaken in initiating or fighting a war.

War and politics

Common sense deplores and condemns the war, although the masses engage in it, in times of crisis, with enthusiasm, hoping to finish as quickly as possible and in the hope of a glorious victory. However, the return of peace in the face of disasters it has caused, the war can be doomed, its horrors denounced, vilified his madness. Peace is the goal of international ethics that seek to reconcile the sovereignty of nations and the common good of humanity. Object of desire, however, peace is more a project than a reality. Faced with the hope of reconciliation worldwide, realism requires a bitter, war seems to be the normal condition of Civilization, accompanies the growth of technology and expresses the most brutal of human will to ...