socractic seminar pg 3

Just War Theory

• Origin: Thomas Aquinas in Summa Theologica

• Divisions:

  • jus ad bellum: Conditions for entering war

  • jus in bello: Rules during military conflict

Jus ad Bellum

• Necessity: War must be a last resort after exhausting other options (e.g., diplomacy).

• Objectives: Must have good intentions and reasonable outcomes; cannot be based on petty disputes.

• Legitimacy: Must be initiated by a recognized governing authority; otherwise considered terrorism or insurrection.

Jus in Bello

• Principles:

  • Discrimination: Combatants must distinguish between combatants and noncombatants; targeting civilians is unjust.

  • Proportionality: Use of force must be proportional to the anticipated good outcome.

Examples

• Unjust War: Russian invasion of Ukraine (2022).

• Historical Controversies: Bombings of Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Dresden debated in terms of jus in bello principles.