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Introduction to the first edition

Abstract

The ethics of war is not after all exhausted by any single tradition. In the theoretical sphere the tradition has been by far the most prolific in the development of an apparatus of specific moral principles and concepts by means of which the experience of war can be articulated and subjected to systematic moral investigation. The influence of the tradition has not been confined to the realm of moral theorizing. Just war principles and concepts have helped to shape international law in a decisive way. The just war tradition is rooted in a sense of human moral fallibility and the conviction that any moral enterprise, especially one as unpromising as war, is always to a greater or a lesser extent flawed. Its initial moral presumption against war stems from the recognition that at best war is an extremely blunt and imperfect instrument of justice.

Abstract

The ethics of war is not after all exhausted by any single tradition. In the theoretical sphere the tradition has been by far the most prolific in the development of an apparatus of specific moral principles and concepts by means of which the experience of war can be articulated and subjected to systematic moral investigation. The influence of the tradition has not been confined to the realm of moral theorizing. Just war principles and concepts have helped to shape international law in a decisive way. The just war tradition is rooted in a sense of human moral fallibility and the conviction that any moral enterprise, especially one as unpromising as war, is always to a greater or a lesser extent flawed. Its initial moral presumption against war stems from the recognition that at best war is an extremely blunt and imperfect instrument of justice.

Chapters in this book

  1. Front matter i
  2. Contents v
  3. Preface to the second edition vi
  4. Acknowledgements vii
  5. Introduction to the second edition 1
  6. Introduction to the first edition 20
  7. Part I: Images of war
  8. 1 Realism 35
  9. 2 Militarism 58
  10. 3 Pacifism 95
  11. 4 The just war 115
  12. Part II: Principles and concepts of the just war
  13. 5 Legitimate authority 139
  14. 6 Just cause 162
  15. 7 Proportionality and the recourse to war 183
  16. 8 Last resort 204
  17. 9 Proportionality and the conduct of war 224
  18. 10 Noncombatant immunity 249
  19. 11 Peacemaking 287
  20. Part III: Terrorism and counterterrorism
  21. 12 On defining terrorism 311
  22. 13 Terrorism 327
  23. 14 Counterterrorism 347
  24. References 375
  25. Index 387
The ethics of war
This chapter is in the book The ethics of war
https://doi.org/10.7765/9781784996659.00006

Chapters in this book

  1. Front matter i
  2. Contents v
  3. Preface to the second edition vi
  4. Acknowledgements vii
  5. Introduction to the second edition 1
  6. Introduction to the first edition 20
  7. Part I: Images of war
  8. 1 Realism 35
  9. 2 Militarism 58
  10. 3 Pacifism 95
  11. 4 The just war 115
  12. Part II: Principles and concepts of the just war
  13. 5 Legitimate authority 139
  14. 6 Just cause 162
  15. 7 Proportionality and the recourse to war 183
  16. 8 Last resort 204
  17. 9 Proportionality and the conduct of war 224
  18. 10 Noncombatant immunity 249
  19. 11 Peacemaking 287
  20. Part III: Terrorism and counterterrorism
  21. 12 On defining terrorism 311
  22. 13 Terrorism 327
  23. 14 Counterterrorism 347
  24. References 375
  25. Index 387
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