Just War Theory

Overview

Recall questions on what just war theory is, the thinkers who developed it, and the conditions for going to war and for its likely outcome.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   Explain what is meant by just war theory.

   Model answer

   A set of criteria developed by Christian thinkers for judging when going to war is morally justified and how it must then be fought.

2. 2

   Which two Christian thinkers principally developed it?

   Model answer

   Augustine laid its foundations and Aquinas set out the classical conditions.

3. 3

   State four conditions for going to war justly.

   Model answer

   There must be a just cause, the decision must come from a legitimate authority, the intention must be right, and war must be a last resort.

4. 4

   Which two further conditions concern the likely outcome of going to war?

   Model answer

   There must be a reasonable prospect of success, and the good achieved must outweigh the harm the war will cause.

5. 5

   Which two rules govern how a war is actually fought?

   Model answer

   Discrimination, meaning non-combatants must never be targeted, and proportionality, meaning the force used must not exceed what the objective requires.

6. 6

   What is meant by justice after war?

   Model answer

   The modern addition to the theory setting out duties once fighting ends, such as a just settlement, reconstruction and fair treatment of the defeated.

Other ways to work this

The same content, four other ways.

What is inside Levo

Six ways to work the same material.