Pacifism Flashcards
Flash cards without questions
1.
Pacifists believe that if killing and violence are morally wrong, then war is wrong
2.
Absolute pacifists believe war is always wrong
3.
Weak pacifists believe that war is wrong but may be used as a very last resort
4.
Christians are divided: Jesus taught that we should love our enemies, but didn’t condemn soldiers
5.
Utilitarians and consequentialists who believe that the ends justify the means support war realist and just war arguments because in aiming for long-term greatest happiness (ends), some suffering may be necessary (means)
6.
Some argue that not all the conditions of a just war need to be met for a war to be justified
7.
Some argue that it is impossible for all the just war conditions to be met and therefore pacifism is the only moral alternative
8.
Martin Luther King supported absolute pacifism because evil cannot be combatted with the evil of violence. Alternatives to war must be used
9.
Some utilitarians argue that absolute pacifists cause suffering by letting evil leaders act violently and unjustly
10.
Some Christians argue that pacifism is an ideal but in a sinful world war is sometimes necessary
11.
Some Christians argue that violence should be replaced by reconciliation and people should aim to make the world peaceful as God intended it to be
Is a world without war unrealistic?
On one hand… It is unrealistic because humans are naturally aggressive and like power. War is sometimes necessary to stop aggressive rulers from misusing their power and acting unjustly
On the other and… It is not unrealistic because only a few people are aggressive and most people would want to live in a world without war. If countries slowly got rid of their armies, wars would no longer happen
Can pacifism be morally justified?
On one hand… Pacifism can be morally justified because all forms of violence and aggression are wrong. Pacifism respects other people and even if being a pacifist involves suffering, it is better than killing.
On the other hand… Pacifism is a good idea in theory but can’t be justified in a world where people use violence against other. Pacifists don’t protect the innocent and the weak sufficiently against aggressors, whereas war does.
