1. The Just War Tradition

2. Just War Tradition Jus Ad Bellem Jus In Bello Jus Post Bellum
(before the war)
Jus In Bello
(during the war)
Jus Post Bellum
(after the war)

3. Just War Tradition Jewish contributions
Two types of legitimate warfare
Obligatory war (Milchemet Mitzvah)
God commanded wars of the Israelites
Defensive wars of any era
Voluntary war (Milchemet rashut)
territorial expansion

4. Contributions of Plato, Aristotle and Cicero
Just War Tradition
Contributions of Plato, Aristotle and Cicero
Moral ideas discussed in Plato’s Republic
“Just War” (Bellum Justum) - Aristotle in Politics.
Cicero (1st century BCE) “those ware which are unjust are undertaken without provocation, for only a war waged for revenge or defense can be just.”

5. Just War Tradition Christian Teachings 1st century CE – non-violence
St. Ambrose (parallels Cicero) – lacks systematic argument based on scripture.
St. Augustine – War is a consequence of sin, but could also be a remedy.

6. Just War Tradition St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo
Ordained a priest at age 37
Ordained a Bishop after 5 years
Author of “Confessions” and “The City of God”
Established Just War Theory in the letter “The Correction of the Donatists”

7. Just War Tradition Just Cause Comparative Justice Right Intention
Competent Authority
Public Declaration
Last Resort
Reasonable Probability of Success
Proportionality
Peace as the Ultimate Objective of War

8. Just Cause Cicero Ambrose Augustine
To defend the state from barbarian invasion
To defend the safety or honor of the state
To gain revenge for wrongs
To defend the safety or honor of one’s allies
To wage war at the behest of the gods as directed by the priests of the collegium fetialium
To protect those who are unable to protect themselves
To obey a divine command to go to war (which, in practice, issues from the head of state acting as God’s lieutenant on earth)
To defend the state from external invasion
To defend the safety or honor of the state, with the realization that their simultaneous defense might be impossible
To avenge injuries; to punish a nation for failure to take corrective action for wrongs (legal or moral) committed by its citizens
To come to defense of one’s allies
To obey a divine command to go to war (which in practice, issues from the political head of state acting as God’s lieutenant on earth)
To gain the return of something that was wrongfully taken

9. Comparative Justice Cicero Ambrose Augustine
Wars fought for “glory” are less just than those fought for defensive reasons
The nation which claims to have just cause to wage war must have a cause which is at least more just that the other nation’s cause

10. Right Intention Cicero Ambrose Augustine
War must not be fought merely for territorial expansion or as the result of a lust for power or bloodshed
War must not be fought for territorial expansion
Those who wage war must not delight in the wickedness of potential adversaries
Those who wage war must view war as a stern necessity
Those who wage war must never act in a way that will provoke war

11. Competent Authority Cicero Ambrose Augustine
The Roman Senate has authority to declare ware on behalf of the Roman people after having obtained the assent of the gods via the fetial priests.
In Old Testament times, God directed wars to be fought
The decision to wage war is an affair of state, not the church.
The sovereign ruler of the state has authority to wage war.
Those subject to the authority of the sovereign are duty-bound to fight in the sovereign’s wars (perhaps even in those which are unjust).
God can, with perfect justice direct wars to be fought.

12. Public Declaration Cicero Ambrose Augustine War must be preceded by:
1. A public declaration or
2. an ultimatum demanding redress of grievances.

13. Last Resort Cicero Ambrose Augustine
By definition, a public declaration of war or the issuance of an ultimatum constitutes the last resort for peaceful resolution short of war.
Disputes should be resolved by means short of war whenever possible.
Disputes should be resolved by the means short of war whenever possible

14. Reasonable Probability of Success
Cicero
Ambrose
Augustine
A war justly entered into still can be held to have been just even if it is lost.

15. Proportionality Cicero Ambrose Augustine
War must be fought in light of the object of the restoration of peace; and the restoration of peace will mark the attainment of a greater good than would result from the continued absence of peace.

16. Peace as the Ultimate Object of War
Cicero
Ambrose
Augustine
Peace without juile is a desirable result of war.
Peace should be reestablished at the war’s conclusion.
Peace is the proper object of all wars.

17. Just War Tradition Just Cause Comparative Justice Right Intention
Competent Authority
Public Declaration
Last Resort
Reasonable Probability of Success
Proportionality
Peace as the Ultimate Objective of War

18. Just War in the 21st Century

19. Is Just War Reality or Myth? Which do you Choose?
Warfare in the 21 Century
Is Just War Reality or
Myth?
Which do you Choose?