3.1 - Just War Theory

Who developed the Just war theory?

Augustine of Hippo, later by Thomas Aquinas

What is the basis of the Just war theory?

If a war fits the criteria it is morally right. If it doesn’t, it is unjust and morally wrong

What does ‘just’ mean

Something that is right or fair. ‘Justice’

What are the 3 criteria?

1. Jus ad bellum

2. Jus in Bello

3. Jus post bellum

What is Jus ad bellum?

the criteria for when going to, or starting a war, can be just

What is Jus in Bello?

the conduct required during war in order for the war to be considered just

What is Jus Post bellum?

the conditions for ensuring justice after the war is over.

What are the criteria of just ad bellum? (before)

1. Just cause

2. Last resort

3. Legitimate authority

4. right intention

What was the 5th criteria that Aquinas added later for Just ad bellum?

• probability of winning

What are the criteria of jus in bello?

1. Discrimination

2. Proportionality (1 and 2)

3. Responsibility (1 and 2)

What is the discrimination criteria of jus in bello?

the question of who is a legitimate target in a war.

What is proportionality criteria of jus in bello?

any offensive action should be proportionate to the outcome desired with minimal casualties - minimise overall suffering (utilitarian)

What is the responsibility criteria of jus in bello?

1. should a nation be accountable for any unforeseen damages or consequences if it was not intended?

2. consider morality of orders when one knows they are immoral

Ethical theory for just war - Utilitarian

Justify war - greater happiness for greatest number

Implication: who’s happiness??

Ethical theory for just war - situationists

May justify if done for agape

What are the Jus Post bellum principles proposed?

• provide terms at end of war - more fighting becomes aggression

• provide guidelines for peace treaties

• provide guidelines for political reconstruction of defeated states

• provide peace terms

What is the OT view of war?

• god commands it

• there is an account of war in Deuteronomy

What is the NT view of war?

• targeted in defeating evil

• there are accounts of revolutions defeating Satan

Just war theory evaluation points (3)

1. modern warfare makes these rules harder

2. old fashioned, nuclear war is not accounted for

3. justice is about fairness, not winning or losing

IRAQ - US INVADING 2003

• US invades Iraq

  1. Military action was NOT a last resort

  2. 150,000 Iraq people died - discrimination between civilians NOT followed

  3. War did more bad than good, destabilized them and allowed ISIS to thrive