Just War Theory (St Thomas Aquinas)

Question 1

Why is a just war needed ?

Answer 1

It was needed especially during the Crusades and even in modern wars to provide rules which make it acceptable to go to war

Question 2

The purpose of a Just War

Answer 2

It is to provide a guide for countries to follow in conflict situations. It only applies to States and not individuals

Question 3

The six conditions:

Answer 3

• War must be for a just cause
• The war must be lawfully declared by a lawful authority
• The intention must be good
• All other ways of trying to resolve must be tried first
• There must be a reasonable chance of success
• The means used must be proportionate to the end that the war seeks to achieve

Question 4

1. The war must be for a just cause

Answer 4

“Those who are attacked should deserve it as it is their faults” - Aquinas

“All members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means” - UN

Question 5

2. The war must be lawfully declared

Answer 5

St Thomas Aquinas said need to have a proper sovereign. You can’t have a private group which don’t represent the people starting a war

Question 6

3. The intention behind it must be good

Answer 6

“Desire for peace, not for revenge or power, to secure peace and punish the evil doers, uplifting the
good” - Augustine

Question 7

4. All other means must be tried first

Answer 7

Only war if every non-violent alternative has been tried, i.e. Withdrawal of financial aid

Sometimes it is morally right to go to war sooner than later

Question 8

5. There must be a reasonable chance of success

Answer 8

Going to war for a hopeless cause may be noble, but not ethical

Question 9

6. The means must be proportionate to the aim the war seeks to achieve

Answer 9

Hugo Grotius - only use the proportionate amount of force to fulfil the objective

Example - Western modern day use guided missiles and drones

Question 10

Against a just war - The rules are mere camouflage

Answer 10

If the war is just, then no restrictions should be placed on achieving it. The rules of conduct of war are mere camouflage because they are always overruled by military necessity

Question 11

Against just war - it is not governed by ethics

Answer 11

In conflict “the strong will do what they will, and the weak do what they must” the decision to wage war is governed by realism and strength not ethics

Question 12

Against just war - people exploit a justified war

Answer 12

The moment you religiously justify war people exploit that - Grotius
“When arms are taken up there are no justifications for war”

Question 13

Against just war - terrorists

Answer 13

Terrorists are inherently uninterested about morality, so following any ethical theory of war stop those whom terrorists attack from retaliating, therefore a different approach is needed