Can a War Ever Be Just Term Paper

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St. Augustine, "Even those with a just grievance cannot go to war out of hatred or thirst for vengeance." The war in Iraq fails to meet this reasonable criterion and is therefore not a "just war." While the typical excuse for the invasion of Iraq hones on the presence of weapons of mass destruction, the main motivation for military action in the Middle East had much to do with both hatred and a thirst for vengeance. The events of September 11 preceded the war by no coincidence: vengeance was therefore a major cause for the attack on Iraq, even though no plausible connection was made. Moreover, the spurious search for weapons of mass destruction clarifies primary reasons for waging war. Underlying the rhetoric about weapons of mass destruction rests an obvious desire for power and domination. President Bush, Prime Minister Blair, and those who support them, hearken to the theories of two of Plato's characters: Callicles from Gorgias and Thracymachus from the Republic. These men affirm that the struggle for attaining and maintaining power over others is natural law; to impose moral value on such a natural instinct is futile.

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Moreover, the moral fabric of a society is based directly on the opinion of those persons in power. In other words, whoever holds political authority can control the moral laws of a nation or culture. When September 11 caused a mass reevaluation of Arabic culture by the United States, this type of moral authority became salient.

Furthermore, President Bush probably acted in the interests of the United States' massive military muscle. As Sir Francis Bacon posits, "a just and honorable foreign war is true exercise...foreign war is like the heat of exercise and serves to keep the body in health." After President Clinton incurred the wrath of the American military by cutting funding, Bush accomplished just the opposite. Finally, the American military could use the toys they had licked their lips over for years. Key generals and army strategists were able to exercise their mental muscles and receive promotions. This was done in accordance to Sir Francis Bacon's theory, except for….....

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