Aquinas

What three things does Aquinas say are necessary for a war to be just?

Right authority (which are NOT the mercantile or clerical classes)

Just cause (i.e pursuing justice or keeping peace)OR avenging wrongs after the

perpetrator has refused to make amends

Good intention (i.e. orientation towards the common good)

How does Aquinas answer the objection from the pacifist position, that taking the sword is always wrong?

The pacifist position in the first objection says that “punishment is not inflicted except for sin”. So, since there is so much pain and suffering in war (i.e. punishment), it must be a sin. → Matthew 26:52

“All that take the sword shall perish”.

Aquinas’ response is that taking the sword as a private person commanded by some authority is not actually considered “taking the sword”. Instead, it considered using it “as commissioned by another” meaning it is not deserving of punishment, and is not considered a sin.

How does Aquinas answer the objection that war is evil, and therefore should be avoided?

This objection (#2) says that war is contrary to the Divine precept, and therefore is always sinful. This objection doesn’t explicitly call war “evil” but implies it. It says that war goes against the Divine precepts in Matthew 5:39 and Romans 12:19 which call us to “not resist evil” and not revenge ourselves. Indirectly “resisting evil” and revenging ourselves are called evil by this objection.

Aquinas half agrees and half disagrees with this objection. He says that, individually, we should refrain from resistance and self-defense, but when the common good is threatened, we should wage war. Additionally, we can fight for the good of those whom we are fighting, to strip them of “the lawlessness of sin”. For when we strip a man “of the lawlessness of sin, it is good for him to be vanquished, since nothing is more hopeless than the happiness of sinners.”

How does Aquinas answer the objection that war is always a sin because it is contrary to peace?

The objection (#3) claims that war is a vice because it opposes peace (a virtire). Any vice that opposes a virtue is considered a sin. So, war is a sin.

Aquinas responds,

“Those who wage war justly aim at peace, and so they are not opposed to peace, except to the evil peace”.

Therefore, war is not the vice opposed to peace because it can seek peace.

He then appeals to Augustine for justification.

Augustine says, “We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. Be peaceful in warring, so that you may vanquish those whom you war against, and bring them to the prosperity of peace.”