Philosophy and Ethics- Peace and Justice

Philosophy and Ethics- peace and justice

Christian attitudes towards war: Just War

• conditions of a just war designed to prevent and limit wars
• idea constructed by Thomas Aquinas in the thirteenth century

Conditions of a Just War are:

• it must be fought by a recognised legal authority (for example, the Government)
• the cuase of war must be just
• the war must be fought with the intention to correct evil or do good
• there must be a reasonable chance of success
• the war must be the last resort (after all diplomatic negotiations etc. have been tried and have failed)
• only sufficient force must be used and civilians cannot be involved

Christian attitudes towards violence and the act of pacifism

• In the Old Testament, people are often told by God to go to war
• However, the sixth commandment says thou shall not murder
• The Old Testament also looks forward to a time where no nations fight with each other
• Jesus taught that peacemakers are blessed and that people should love their enemies
• Most Christians believe that fighting and war are wrong except in some serious cases
• Some Christians, such as Quakers, are pacifists
• During war, they will not fight and become conscious objectors. Instead, they are prepared to go into war as ambulances drivers or medics
• Other Christians are prepared to fight and there…