Skip to main content icon/video/no-internet
icon backReturn to Entries

Just War

Just war is an ethical theory that may be spoken of in two ways. The first designates a particular set of notions that may be described as the “polit-icomilitary doctrine” of the Western world. From its inception in ancient Rome, the idea of bellum iustum (just war) may be traced through the teaching of the Christian churches, in the development of international law, in military manuals, and in the writings of contemporary publicists.

In a second sense, just war conveys a more widespread set of notions. A survey of world civilizations indicates that human beings have developed ways of distinguishing right from wrong in matters of war. Given the fact of international integration, it is important to compare the just war idea with political and military traditions across the globe.

Cicero

The writings of Cicero depict the Roman way of war as connected with notions of honor and religious practice. With respect to the former, this statesman considers it important to keep one's word, even to enemies; he relates paradigmatic stories of those who do so even when an enemy is cruel and keeping one's word may cost one's life. There are also limits on military action against one's enemies. Once an adversary is defeated, there is no need for further destruction, though one may take measures to deter further attacks. There are wars of defense, in which the national interest is threatened. There are also wars fought to enhance national power and glory. With respect to the latter, behavior toward an enemy should be more lenient. And, in either case, wars must be initiated by the priestly caste. As Cicero has it, all the norms of bellum iustum are ancient and embedded in religious practice. For this reason, wars must begin with members of the fetiales (Roman priests) offering an enemy the choice: Accept the terms of peace or deal with the Roman might.

Cicero's account of just war occurs primarily in De Officiis, his treatise on the duties of Roman officials. It is worth noting that the first extended account of bellum iustum by a Christian author occurs in Ambrose of Milan's account of the duties of the clergy (also titled De Officiis and clearly modeled after Cicero's). As Bishop of Milan, Ambrose wielded considerable authority. One might even say that, in Ambrose's view, the Christian priesthood had succeeded the fetiales of ancient Rome. Thus, Ambrose thought it his duty to deny communion to Emperor Theodosius following the massacre of 7,000 men, women, and children in Thessalonica in 394, on the grounds that such behavior violated the standards of just war.

Augustine and Aquinas

Ambrose's treatise marks a critical stage in the development of the just war idea. It would fall to his disciple Augustine to provide a fuller account. Throughout his long career as Bishop of Hippo (in North Africa), Augustine counseled magistrates, wrote treatises, and preached to the faithful about the responsibilities of rulers and citizens in these matters. The outcome of Augustine's efforts was an account of history in which war represented both a result of and a remedy for sin. As with other human endeavors, Augustine set war in the context of the Christian story of creation, fall, preservation, and redemption. Human beings are made by God; they have potential for good and for evil. As such, war was not inevitable. But human beings turned from their creator, and thus, their existence is colored by sin. Envy, rage, and, above all, the will to power lend themselves to violence, and Augustine writes that these are the real evils present in war. There will come a time when God will eliminate such evils; indeed, the existence of the Christian church is a kind of promissory note, signifying the coming redemption of the world. In the meantime, however, sin remains powerful. Good people must use the means provided by God to resist and contain evil. One of these means is the idea of just war.

...

  • Loading...
locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles

Read next

More like this

Sage Recommends

We found other relevant content for you on other Sage platforms.

close

Have you created a personal profile? Login or create a profile so that you can save clips, playlists and searches

close
close
close Signed In to profile You are signed in as:
close
Logged in Institution Institution