War and Peace

What do you need to know?

• The principles of ‘Just War’ and its application.

• The theories of ethical and religious pacifism.

• How to apply the theories we have studied to issues relating to war and peace.

Key Concepts• Just War Theory – the belief that

war can be justified if it meets certain criteria

• Realism – Normal moral rules cannot be applied to how countries act in times of war, ethics has nothing to do with war.

• Pacifism – the belief that all violence, in all circumstances is wrong

Origins of Just War Theory

• Goes back to ancient philosophers such as Aristotle and Cicero. They identified the principle that war in self defence was just.

• St Ambrose and St Augustine were first Christian developers of the idea. They said war is only acceptable when waged by proper authorities, its intention is to restore peace and it is the last resort.

• Thomas Aquinas drew together Christian thinking on War in ‘Summa Theologiae’ emphasising former ideas and in particular ‘just cause.’

• 16th C Suarez & Vitoria added proportionality and reasonable chance of success.

• Most recently formally adopted by the Roman Catholic Church in the Catholic Bishops of America’s pastoral letter ‘The Promise of Peace: God’s Promise and our Response’. (1983)

Division of Just War Theory

Jus ad Bellum &

Jus in Bello

...means ‘when it is right to go

to war’

...means ‘how war should be

fought’..

&

Jus post

bellum

...concerns the justice of peace agreements after the conflict is over

Jus ad Bellum

When is it right to go to

war?

Just Authority

Just cause

Just intention

Proportionality

Likelihood of success

Last Resort

Jus in Bello

How should war be fought?

For centuries there have been rules to limit the damage of warfare – recent examples include the Hague and Geneva conventions.

Two main principles:

Proportionality in terms of force and weaponry – specifically the American Bishop’s prohibited nuclear, biological or chemical weapons.

Discrimination of targets- civilian people and services are protected. ‘Total War’ is rejected by the Bishops, innocent life must not be taken.

Jus post Bellum

Refers to the Justice at the end of the war – helps move from conflict to peace.

It calls for reasonable peace treaties, not ones that seek to humiliate.It demands that the civilian population should be protected, their human rights preserved.In cases where the leaders have broken the Hague / Geneva conventions there must be trials and witnesses called from all sides.If a country’s infrastructure has been damaged, after the conflict it should be helped to rebuild.Those who lead oppressive regimes are given the opportunity for rehabilitation.

How effective is Just War Theory? Strengths Weaknesses

Defines clearly conditions for violence Permits violence – morally violence is always wrong

Combines thinking of great philosophers over the centuries

Unrealistic – strong / powerful always win

Flexible / Evolutionary Too simplistic / ambiguous to apply in reality

Defends the Defenceless WMD mean JWT useless – they break all rules

Universal JWT does not work against terrorists

Can use this framework to consider the use of WMDs

Outcomes of war difficult to predict

Recognises need to act against oppressive regimes

Conduct of individual soldiers is hard to control

Realism

Realists adopt the view that war is not a moral activity, and although fighting / killing etc can be wrong for an individual, it cannot be applied to a nation. They argue that to survive a nation must look after it’s own interests and that their is no moral authority over nations telling them what to do. They would argue that anything is fair when it comes to war – self interest is the driving force.

Christian Realism

Idea developed by Reinhold Niebuhr -

‘Moral Man, Immoral Society’ (1892-1971)

Idea that ethical ideals are impossible as sin is present everywhere and in everyone.

Niebuhr argued that war was evil and resulted from sin. He accepted that it was sometimes necessary to prevent greater evil. That sometimes Christians need to use force to secure justice.

Niebuhr rejected Pacifism as heresy. He believed that Christians have a duty to be proactive in the world – rejected the idea that ‘love’ would bring peace / victory.

Pacifism

Pacifists reject all war and believe all conflict can be resolved through negotiation. Pacifists reject Just war theory because it does not take into account their view.

Absolute Pacifism – never right to kill a human being, even to protect an innocent victim from attack.

Religious Pacifism – rooted in early Christianity and teachings of Jesus on love enemies / blessed peacemakers / sacrificial love. Modern Christian Church that adopts this view is the Quaker Church. This does not mean that injustice is ignored – non violent action is undertaken eg MLK Civil Rights Mvt.

Contingent Pacifism – warfare that involves killing of innocents is wrong, but war maybe acceptable in some circumstances to defend the innocent. The war must be fought justifiably. War could be lesser of 2 evils.

Preferential Pacifism – pacifism is prefered but sometimes not possible when considering the welfare of the oppressed.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Pacifism

Strengths Weaknesses

Clear cut – opposes all forms of violence

Denies right of self defence

Follows teaching of Jesus and position of Early Church – ignored by Just War Theory

State has a duty to protect its citizens

Promotes the absolute value of human life

Pacifism allows evil to dominate

Is this true?