PHIL 150 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Jus Ad Bellum, Just War Theory, Noble Eightfold Path
Document Summary
Anti-war pacifism: war is always immoral, peace is always morally required. Realism: moral norms do not apply to states, the state s only concern is its self-interest and the protection of its citizens. Just war theory: there is a strong presumption against any use of force, but there are conditions in which war is permissible or even required. Just war theory is concerned with when it is permissible to go to war (jus ad bellum) and how to conduct a just war (jus in bello). Six requirements on: just cause: a war can only be conducted for the right reason. Some rules for: obey international laws prohibiting various weapons, discriminate between civilians and non-civilians. One must not aim to harms civilians, though they may sometimes be harmed: soldiers must only use means proportional to the ends they seek, benevolent treatment of pows, no means mala in se.
