Just War Theory

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Just War Theory

• Summer 2005

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Debate

• Is the war in Iraq a just war?

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An Argument that All Wars are Immoral

• (P1) Innocent people have a right to life and
  bodily security.
• (P2) These rights must be respected, even in
  times of war.
• (C) If innocent people are killed in a war, then
  that war is immoral.

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Against Extreme Pacifism

• The use of violence is sometimes justified.

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6 Criteria of Just War Theory

• Not all of these need to be met.

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6 Criteria of Just War Theory

• 1 The war must be fought for a just cause.

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6 Criteria of Just War Theory

• 2 The war must be fought as a last resort.

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6 Criteria of Just War Theory

• 3 The war must be carried out with a right
  attitude.

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6 Criteria of Just War Theory

• 4 The war must be conducted by a legitimate
  authority.

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6 Criteria of Just War Theory

• 5 There must be a proportional use of force.

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6 Criteria of Just War Theory

• 6 The military must discriminate between
  non-combatants and the innocent.