Can War Ever Be Justified?
Uploaded by Rodianne on May 16, 2007
War has been going on for centuries. Philosophers pondered whether war is ever justified. Different views and theories have developed throughout the centuries and attempted to solve this dilemma.
The first theory to be considered is the Just War Theory, also known as the Just War Tradition. Components of such a tradition are the use of [i:5d72985836]prima facie [/i:5d72985836]obligations. The obligation not to injure others is an example of a [i:5d72985836]prima facie [/i:5d72985836]obligation. When two [i:5d72985836]prima facie [/i:5d72985836]obligations are in conflict, then one has to consider the whole context. If an obligation is [i:5d72985836]absolute[/i:5d72985836], then it can never be overridden.
Having analysed the [i:5d72985836]prima facie [/i:5d72985836]obligations, one must keep in mind that there are several other conditions that must be fulfilled before a war is said to be just (Jus ad Bellum). First and foremost, the war has to be commenced for a just cause. A war can only be justified if it has been attacked, that is by an aggressor, or if it will enter war in the aid of another nation which has been attacked. A nation cannot enter war if it aids the aggressor.
The Just War Tradition believes that war is commenced only if the nation has attempted all other resorts and failed. If other strategies and alternatives where not attempted before entering war, then such a war is not justified. Therefore, having tried all possible means and still leaving the nation up to no choice but to engage in war as a last resort then, war is then justified.
The intention of war cannot be simply to fight. There is also, in the Just War Theory, the right intention, that is fighting only to repel the other nation from its country. Killing should never be the purpose of war, in fact killing of innocents or inflicting suffering cannot justifiably be done if it is avoidable. Since the Just War Theory makes a distinction between combatants and non-combatants, it excludes direct unnecessarily cruelty on innocents. It claims that killing civilians purposely or as a part of policy is different then civilians being killed due to side-effects of war.
War must be declared by someone invested with legal authority or legitimate authority. Another criterion justifies war if and only if there is a reasonable hope of benefit. That is, if the nation is not certain of its success then, such a war cannot be considered as a justifiable war.
The...