Just War and Pacifism

Just War and Pacifism

The ethics of war is one of the oldest and most consequential areas of moral philosophy. Can war ever be morally justified, or is all violence inherently wrong? This lesson examines the just war tradition — from its origins in Augustine and Aquinas through to modern international humanitarian law — and contrasts it with the pacifist tradition, particularly Christian pacifism and the witness of the Quakers. The lesson also considers the challenges posed by modern warfare, including nuclear weapons, terrorism, and humanitarian intervention.

The Just War Tradition: Origins

The just war tradition holds that war, while always regrettable, can sometimes be morally justified — and that when it is waged, it must be conducted according to strict moral rules. The tradition has its roots in ancient philosophy (Cicero, Aristotle) and was developed systematically by Christian theologians.