Ethics of War Handout

Consequentialist Pacifism:

Although war is not intrinsically wrong, the benefits of war are always outweighed by the costs.

Deontological Pacifism:

War is always intrinsically wrong, regardless of its consequences.

War could be permissible, even if we know that innocent lives will be lost, if

1. Taking innocent life is not the reason that we go to war,
2. The lives that are saved are proportionally greater than the lives that will be lost,
3. Taking innocent life is not the means to saving lives, and
4. Saving lives is otherwise permissible.

Jus ad bellum:

Conditions that determine when a state can justly go to war.

Jus in bello:

Conditions that specify how a war must be fought

Jus post bellum:

Conditions that determine when one can justly end hostilities.

Ten principles of just peacemaking:¹

1. Support nonviolent direct action.
2. Take independent initiatives to reduce threat.
3. Use cooperative conflict resolution.
4. Acknowledge responsibility for conflict and injustice and seek repentance and forgiveness.
5. Advance democracy, human rights, and religious liberty.
6. Foster just and sustainable economic development.
7. Work with emerging cooperative forces in the international system.
8. Strengthen the United Nations and international efforts for cooperation and human rights.
9. Reduce offensive weapons and weapons trade.
10. Encourage grassroots peacemaking groups and voluntary associations.