Just war theory seeks to identify the right reasons for going to war (Jus Ad Bellum) and right conduct in war (Jus In Bello).

Jus Ad Bellum says that a just war can begin only if it is:

  1. Authorized by legitimate authority.

  2. Supported by a just cause (or good reason).

  3. Motivated by a good or right intention, including securing a just and lasting peace.

  4. Means are proportional to the offense or provocation, including overall balance of probable good and evil.

  5. Likely to succeed.

  6. A last resort, following exhaustion of peaceful means of resolution.

In the conduct of war (Jus in Bello), both political and military must:

  1. Employ the principle of proportion of means to legitimate end
    -- Of each limited end 
    -- Of the overall end
     
  2. Employ the principle of discrimination between combatants and non-military.
    --Some people defend an absolute principle of discrimination (no non-military personnel can be harmed) but most employ the principle of double effect.

This outline combines information from multiple sources.

 

Return to Course
Home Page
  
Return to Theodore Gracyk's Home Page 

Last updated Feb. 12, 2007