Essay Available:
You are here: Home → Term Paper → Religion & Theology
Pages:
7 pages/≈1925 words
Sources:
10 Sources
Level:
APA
Subject:
Religion & Theology
Type:
Term Paper
Language:
English (U.S.)
Document:
MS Word
Date:
Total cost:
$ 30.24
Topic:
Is just war just killing? (Term Paper Sample)
Instructions:
Jus ad Bellum (Right to War): The war must have a just cause (e.g., self-defense), be declared by a proper authority, and be a last resort after all peaceful options are exhausted.
Jus in Bello (Conduct in War): Even in a justified war, actions must adhere to rules. This includes proportionality (the good achieved must outweigh the harm) and discrimination (not targeting non-combatants).
Purpose: The goal is never to kill for its own sake, but to restore a just peace.
Moral Hazard: Augustine argued the true evils in war are not the deaths, but the "love of violence, revengeful cruelty," and "lust of power" source..
Content:
Is just war just killing?
Student Name:
Institution
Course Name
Instructor
Date
Introduction
A just war is waged to achieve a noble purpose. The conflict is waged in a certain way that one side believes is correct. Even though the war is terrible, its supporters believe it is necessary for a good reason. Many people have expressed concern and a desire to learn more about just war and its theory, regardless of the conventions that have been established. If there are no regulations while engaging in battle, arguments condemning the problem of belligerent and molarity should be launched. When one is in the military, killing another person is justified if they are trapped in a "firefight." Only if the military is at war with the country can they be caught in a "firefight." Many people believe that killing another person is unethical and cannot be justified under any circumstances. This type of thinking stems from a deontological perspective. Some people believe that murder while serving in the military is justifiable since it is for the greater welfare of the country and the people. Thinking in this manner comes from a practical perspective, which is, in my opinion, the most significant way to approach this subject. This paper will determine whether killing in a just war is just or not through arguments and counterarguments.
Justification for the Argument
Two elements underpin the just war theory. One governs how war is waged (Jus in Bello), while the other wages war (jus ad Bellum) (Zupan, 2017, p.14). It is noticed that the concepts are conceptually distinct. It is argued that a just war can be waged unjustly, while an unjust war can be fought in a just manner, meaning that it is conducted in compliance with the rules. In terms of war ethics, equally just and unjust people have the same right to murder. They cannot, unfortunately, not just kill anyone. They are only allowed to kill those who disagree with them (Zupan, 2017, p.28). This is essentially a summary of jus in Bello, which contains the necessity of discrimination.
Killing is justified, in my opinion, if the conflict has adequate legitimacy, to begin with. When offered a choice between two actions, utilitarianism holds that the one that produces the most significant amount of happiness for the largest number of people should be chosen (Shaw, 2016, p.77). More specifically, while considering the utilitarianism method, one considers the consequence rather than the deed itself. Consequentialists agree on a course of action that provides the most significant net benefit or even the most significant utility. The act itself isn't necessarily the ideal thing to do, but the result of that act is. In this scenario, the consequence of a person's death decides whether or not the killing was justified.
If someone wanders into a park and begins assaulting kids, another person with a firearm in the neighborhood would shoot them and be justified. According to the old conventional rule of justice, all persons are sisters and brothers who possess astrological symbols, superior to any laws and demands. The basic principles of Just War Theory are the prior culpability of the guilty party; and just war as a method to justify abandoned rights or an exploited claim for justice or to reinstate justice, which is founded on this traditional manner of thought (Cebula, 2020, p.1290). As a result, in a just conflict, killing, particularly those who are wrong, is justified.
For centuries, people have debated what constitutes a just and unjust war. It has created a schism and a focal point for moral arguments. The idea and saying, "All is fair in love and war," appeared to legitimize war (Walzer, 2015, p.177). For generations, this belief guided the course. In combat, it permitted any level of deception and bloodshed. War, on the other hand, has no beauty. War, whether just or unjust, raises a variety of humanitarian considerations. Civilian deaths occur, women are raped, infants are slaughtered and enlisted as child soldiers against their will, and civilian infrastructure is damaged. However, in cases whereby the war is against evil, such as terrorism, it is the last resort to combat disagreements.
The just cause condition is usually at the center of the discussion over a war's justification. When a Just Cause is not demonstrated, civilians will refuse to pay the war wage. Every government and political leader who goes to war argues that they are doing so for a Just Cause. In this lawsuit, Iraq contended that its invasion of Kuwait in 1991 was justified (May 2018, p.65). However, arguing that you have a Just Cause is inadequate. There must be proof of some harm done by the other country in which warfare is the only response. In addition, the Just Intention criterion limits the length of the war. As a result, a fighting nation needs to prove that the way is justified for the killings to be just.
Given that there must be a strong and legitimate reason to engage a war, at the very least, one motivation for doing so, pursuing self-defense or shielding others from abuses of human rights violations and violence, must be acknowledged. (May 2018, p.17). However, there are currently conflicting viewpoints in the debate on this topic. Some claim that preventing large-scale government violations of an individual's human rights constitutes a reasonable basis for war. However, this theory has some strange and complicated implications, such as the need that a just cause must satisfy all of the other causes of a just conflict. However, provided that war has met the threshold required for it to be declared just, all killings, except that of innocent civilians, are justified.
According to Neu (2013, p.1289), there must be a reasonable cause to justify the use of force, such as an assault or a breach of fundamental freedoms, for the concept of a just war to be valid. The right power, a sovereign state, must start the war. A battle that outlaws start cannot be justified. A righteous war also entails the use of appropriate military tactics. Any combatant state that uses such tactics will be held accountable for violating international law and humanitarian values. The just war doctrine also allows for conflict only if necessary to right a wrong. Furthermore, the likelihood of benefit must surpass the likelihood of bad repercussions.
According to the Just War Theory, there has to be a fair reason for resorting to war, such as an invasion or a breach of basic rights (Zupan, 2017, p.32). Establishing what makes a "just cause" when nations go to battle is subject to each state's purpose for waging war. According to this, each combatant group believes their goal is just and that the adversary they are fighting is the embodiment of pure evil. They must convince other troops that what they are doing is legal and that other ethical problem can be ignored (Zupan, 2017, p.37). Because both sides feel their cause is just, judging who is innocent and who is wicked becomes considerably more difficult. There are always opposing claims to justice in combat, and there is never an impartial judge. Moreover, war cannot be used to enforce the law. According on this, it is worth noting how, as Walzer (2015, p.68) points out, states typically select what constitutes "just cause," which has resulted in governments dismissing other ethical problems.
A legitimate war must be examined and analyzed objectively before killing may be justified. This is because all of the opposing parties' points of view get some basis in truth and are well-founded. Consider. An example is the arguments against Iraq's invasion of Kuwait: if the attack was indeed a "pure expression of manifestation of Saddam's thirst for foreign adventure," as stated by Coates (2016, p.365). This demonstrates that a comprehensive study and unbiased analysis of the conflict are required to justify killing and just war.
When conduced well, just war is considered suitable and for the world's best interests. For example, purging terrorism is considered just killing, for example, the operation that left Osama Bin Laden dead. The just war theory focuses on the limitations of war by establishing legal and moral guidelines for determining when and how war propaganda is acceptable. The Just War Theory is founded on the assumption that countries defend their participation in war on moral or legal basis. However, such reasons are not accepted or considered by other countries. As a result, the Just War Theory measures are an essential topic of discussion and controversy when it comes to military activities. However, some instances violate that just war code. For example, American drone strikes are known to have considerable collateral damages.
Counter Argument
In another sense, warring against other people and, as a result, killing life is wrong. Killing is always wrong, no matter what the circumstances are. If killing someone through the legal system is improper and illegal, the military should be treated the same way. Military personnel should be subjected to the exact requirements if law enforcement officers are held accountable for killings and an inquiry is required. The use of lethal force is not the only method to win a conflict. Even if troops are on the front lines murdering, they should not be the ones being investigated for wrongdoing. Military leaders and politicians who choose to initiate a conflict are the culprits (Meagher, 2014, p.8).
According to Neu (2013, p.464), Tragedies occur when a moral actor is obligated to wrong at minimum one person throughout operations or war activities. When a tragedy happens, there are typically two sides: when the actor participated to the cause of the disaster without acting irresponsibly or on intent. No o...
Get the Whole Paper!
Not exactly what you need?
Do you need a custom essay? Order right now:
Other Topics:
- RedemptionDescription: Redemption Religion & Theology Term Paper...3 pages/≈825 words| 3 Sources | APA | Religion & Theology | Term Paper |
- What Made Moses a Great LeaderDescription: What Made Moses a Great Leader Religion & Theology Term Paper...8 pages/≈2200 words| 12 Sources | APA | Religion & Theology | Term Paper |
- Biblical and Theological Underpinnings on Poverty and Social JusticeDescription: Poverty and social justice according to the Bible and theological teachings are related issues. Theology uses the Bible as the reference for the instructions on God's plan for humanity and the lessons on poverty and social justice. God condemns injustices that widen the gap between the rich and the poor...8 pages/≈2200 words| 4 Sources | APA | Religion & Theology | Term Paper |