War and Peace Flashcards
What is a war?
A war is the state of violence and fighting between two or more groups. This can be between two or more countries. It can also be between groups within one country, which is known as a civil war.
What is the criteria?
This criterion is known as the Just War theory. It was first developed by Augustine of Hippo, later by Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century, and came to resemble its common form today through additions by Francisco de Vitoria.
What three areas does the Just war theory cover?
Jus Ad Bellum: the criteria for when going to or starting, a war can be considered just.
Jus In Bello: The conduct required during the war in order for the war to be considered just.
Jus Post Bellum: The conditions for ensuring justice after the war is over.
What are the conditions of the Just War theory?
1} War should be waged for a just reason.
2} Declared by a just authority.
3} War should be waged with a just intention or attitude.
4} War as a response to injustice must be proportionate to the original injustice.
5} War should only be waged after other efforts to solve the crisis have failed.
6} There has to be a reasonable chance that the intended outcomes will be achieved.
7} Both sides of the conflict must be fairly considered.
What are the principles of proportionality and discrimination?
Proportionality; The use of weapons must be in proportion to the threat posed.
Discrimination: Those waging war should discriminate between civilians and non-civilians with the aim of ensuring no civilians are harmed. There should be no direct attacks on civilians or indiscriminate attacks that put civilians at risk.
What is jus post bellum?
Jus post bellum is concerned with the conduct of a war’s victors towards its losers, the chief aim of which should be to establish a secure and lasting peace
What are the weaknesses of just war theory?
Ethical weaknesses:
- One must first comprehend the utter strangeness of the notion that an enterprise within which people are to some degree unleashed to try to kill or wound each other.
- Can war ever be justified?
- Walter Wink argues that no war can be considered just.
- R Holmes argues that the idea of a just war encourages war because it has the political and pyschological effect of suggesting that war can sometimes be acceptable.
Practical weaknesses:
- Nations will not follow just war theory because some opponents will not follow it.
- War is too complex to be governed by such simplistic principles.
- No aspect of the theory helps to ensure that it will actually be followed.
- The theory is too open and can be used by anyone to justify their war.
What are the strengths of the just war theory?
- It is practical and realistic because it recognises that war is sometimes necessary.
- It attempts to introduce ethics into an area where it is arguably most needed because of the potential suffering and harm.
- Ethics should not be abandoned because it can be difficult to enforce its principles.
- The principles behind just war theory have gained widespread international support.
- It is relevant to both Christian and secular audiences.
- It sets out comprehensive and clear principles that are relevant in nearly all conflict situations.
- It takes into account Christian ideas of justice.
What concerns does nuclear weaponry raise?
Nuclear weaponry raises special concerns in the morality of warfare due to its destructive power. The religious argument against the possession of nuclear weapons is likely to be the same as the secular one.
What are the Christian teachings on war and peace?
Just war theory has its roots in Aquinas and Augustine. Despite its Christian roots, an approach to critiquing just war theory is to consider whether it is truly consistent with Christian teaching and revelation.
What is a bible quote that counters this point?
“Joshua subdued the whole region including the hill country, the Negev, the western foothills and the mountain slopes, together with all their kings. He left no survivors. He totally destroyed all who breathed just as the Lord God of Israel had commanded”. Joshua 10:40
What have Jesus’ teachings been interpreted as?
Jesus’ numerous teachings on war and peace have been interpreted as showing all violence and war to be immoral and contrary to any Christian ethic.
What is pacifism and the forms of pacifism?
Pacifism: The belief that all war and violence is wrong because it is wrong to harm or kill other people.
Absolute pacifism: The belief that war is always wrong can never be justified.
Relative pacifism: The belief that war is wrong but can be justified if it is the lesser of two evils.
Nuclear pacifism: The belief that war can be justified except when nuclear weapons will be used.
Active pacifism: Actively encouraging peace through campaigning,
What are the non-religious reasons for pacifism?
Environment: Certain weapons of war cause huge destruction to natural habitats ecosystems and animals.
Nuclear weapons: Nuclear weapons have the potential for huge and indiscriminate death and destruction.
Humanitarianism: The harm and suffering inflicted on civilians that inevitably occurs in wars is unacceptable.
Non-violent approaches to conflict are possible and effective.
What are the religious reasons for pacifism?
The early Church held pacifist views although these were abandoned when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire and violence was a necessary part of maintaining the empire.
