Application of ethical theories

Question 1

Define the Just War theory

Answer 1

• JWT serves as a moral framework to determine the justifiability of military force, originating from the works of philosophers such as St. Augustine and St. Aquinas.
• It delineates three key categories: jus ad bellum, jus in bello, and jus post bellum, addressing moral considerations before, during, and after warfare.

Question 2

Outline the origins of JWT

Answer 2

• Augustine drew on the existing Roman idea of justum bellum and the Old Testament tradition where wars on behalf of Israel and God were clearly commanded by God.
• Ambrose stipulated that war must only be waged by a legitimate governmental authority; it must be intended to restore peace and justice and a last resort.
• Aquinas drew these concepts together and listed right authority , just cause and just intention as the most important aspects.

Question 3

Define and describe the categories of JWT

Answer 3

jus ad bellum: - justice in the decision to wage war
jus in bello: justice in the conduct of war
jus post bellum: justice in the ending of war

Question 4

Outline the guidelines of jus ad bellum

Answer 4

1. Just cause; can include to right a wrong , self defence , defending others
2. Legitimate Authority
3. Right Intention
4. Likelihood of success
5. Proportionality
6. Last Resort

Question 5

Outline the guidelines of jus in bello

Answer 5

• proportionality
• discrimination and non-combatant immunity
• obey all international laws on weapons prohibition
• benevolent quarantine
• no means mala in se
• no reprisals

Question 6

Outline the guidelines of Jus post bellum

Answer 6

1. Proportionality
2. Discrimination
3. Rights Vindication ( restoration of the rights of civilians
4. Punishment
5. Compensation
6. Rehabilitation

Question 7

Outline Old Testament views on JWT.

Answer 7

Judges 5:2-31 : “ so perish all your enemies, O Lord”
- rather than overt command to go to a war it is a response to those who sin.
Joshua 10:40 : ‘ Joshua spared no one, everyone was put to death’
- indiscriminate form of violence
Isaiah 2:4: ‘nation will not take up sword against nation , nor will they train for war anymore’
- uses futuristic tenses thus unaware of when this is applicable. However, some believe that it talks about ‘ the last of days’ referencing Parousia

Question 8

Outline New Testament views on JWT

Answer 8

” For our struggle is not against flesh and blood (…) but against the spiritual forces of evil”
- focuses on overcoming the internal spiritual battle between sinful urges and acts of goodness rather than promoting acts of violence.

Question 9

Outline Christian views which advocate for a peaceful approach to violence

Answer 9

Jesus’ sayings imply a pacifist (non-violent) approach:
- “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called Children of God” Matthew 5:9.
- “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you”
- Jesus is seen as the new covenant. Due to his crucifixion and as the source of salvation, he emphasises an approach which allows for a close relationship with God.

Question 10

Outline Christian views which permit violence

Answer 10

• Emperor Constantine believed that Jesus had appeared in a vision , where he was promised victory in battle , if he converted to Christianity. Thus violence can be seen as permissible in certain circumstances.
• Augustine says “ Christians make war with tears in their eyes”. Thus war is not encouraged but rather seen as permissible in times of necessity.

Question 11

Give a Situation Ethics’ view on Just War Theory

Question 12

Give a Natural Moralist view on Just War Theory

Question 13

Give a Utilitarianist view on Just War theory

Question 14

Summarise the events of the Iraq War. Include quotes.

Answer 14

• Bush and Blair claimed to have follow the conditions of Just War theory , arguing that it was a ‘ last resort’ and that there was ‘ just cause for the war’ due to a claim that Iraq possessed WMD
• This was despite the fact that there was none to be found , ultimately leading to the death of approx.1 million Iraqis.
• “to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger”

Question 15

Summarise the events of the Hiroshima + Nagasaki bombing.

Question 16

Give JWT views on the use of nuclear warfare

Answer 16

proportionality and principle of discrimination: both the short term and long term effects of using nuclear warfare cannot be justified due to their indiscriminate and unpredictable nature.
- JWT isn’t useful as in likelihood, the immediate use of a nuclear weapon would result in an inevitable escalation to the point of mutually assured destruction.

Question 17

Give additional scholarly views on JWT

Answer 17

Noam Chomsky:
- criticises the selective application of just war principles, pointing out how powerful states tend to invoke them to legitimatise their military intervention while ignoring the principles when it comes to their own actions ( Iraq War).
- suggests that JWT can lead to moral blindness , as it focuses on abstract principles of justice while ignoring the concrete consequence of war on civilians and vulnerable populations.
Jean Elshtain:
- highlighted the moral ambiguity inherent in many conflicts due to the complexities of distinguishing between perpetrators and victims.
Richard Norman:
- explored the moral principles that govern the conduct of warfare within JWT.
- acknowledges the complexity of applying the principles in practice but argues that they provide valuable guidance for distinguishing between justified and unjustified uses of force.

Question 18

Evaluate the success of the Just War Theory. Argue in support.

Answer 18

• With parameters , the wars are fought fairly. Link to Richard Norman.
  CA: no certainty that the opposing side will follow these criteria as parameters are subjective and can be misused. link to Chomsky and moral blindness.
• Primary aim is to bring about peace and avoid innocent civilians.
  CA: we almost invariably cannot avoid innocent civilians as war always has collateral damage.
  R: can the innocent civilians be clearly defined. Link to Elshtain.
• Historical precedent due to its use in WWII.
• war is inevitable due to human nature and so at least JWT offers a constraint.
• aims to avoid retribution.
• it is a universal theory, but flexible , in that it grows and develops with the times.

Question 19

Evaluate the success of the JWT. Argue Against

Answer 19

• focuses on justifying war rather than the prevention of the war entirely. Chomsky would argue that we should advocate for alternative approaches
• Nuclear weapons may mean the theory is redundant and not co-existent with modern times ( as principles of discrimination cannot be applied)
  CA: still a need to consider their use through the moral framework which JWT offer
  CA: Drone tech is advancing to make WMD more accurate
  CA: not used in all wars; civil wars
  R: Nonetheless, surely we should be focusing on the widescale impact of NW
• hard to predict certain criteria : jus ad bellum
• goes against Jesus Teachings
  CA: Emperor Constantine
  R: shortcomings of religious experience
• Walter Wink considers that Augustine’s teachings of the JWT led Christians on the wrong path. Believes that there can never be just reasons to go to war

Question 20

Define pacifism.

Question 21

Give the four types of pacifism and define.

Question 22

Outline additional scholarly views in support of pacifism

Question 23

Outline additional scholarly views in contest of pacifism

Question 24

Evaluate the practicality of absolute pacifism

Question 25

Give the quaker’s views on violence

Question 26

Give Christian views on pacifism

Question 27

What are conscientious objectors?

Question 28

Who was Bonhoeffer and what did he do?

Question 29

Evaluate the practicality and success of pacifism. Argue in support

Question 30

Evaluate the practicality and success of pacifism. Argue against.