Just War Seems to Be an Issue Essay

Total Length: 909 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 1

Page 1 of 3

just war seems to be an issue of discussion that people are very passionate about. The excuses given for the starting of a war as well as the reasons for why a war continues to go on is something that can vary. The reason why a war begins may not persist a given amount of time later, nor may it be the same reason why it comes to an end. According to the Just War Theory (Christopher 2003), there are four tenets that should be considered most important.

First of all, a war must only be started after all other attempts of resolving an issue have failed (Christopher 2003). Discussions by the two opposing parties must be had in order for a war to even be thought of. This means that if a declaration of war is to be made, it is because it is literally the last resort to resolve the issues at hand. Secondly, a just war must only be started as a way of defense after a provocation has already been made (Christopher 2003). This brings some sort of justification to the start of a war. If the war is used as a way of defending oneself against an evil that has already been done, then it is justified to begin this war as a way of providing justice for those impacted.
The third important tenet is that the other party has to be able to fight fairly (Christopher 2003). They must be given advanced notice of an attack and they should have the adequate means of protecting themselves. It would not be fair, or just, for one party to declare a war against another party that is not properly equipped to continue to fight a war with even measures. Lastly, the most important tenet of the just war theory as outlined in the reading is that no innocent person should be harmed (Christopher 2003). An individual who had no say in the occurrence of the war, nor are they in any way associated with the fighting, should be harmed as a means of fighting a war. Unarmed individuals, such as innocent civilians, should not be killed as a way for the war to continue to be won.

The aforementioned four tenets of a just war provide ethical or moral justification for the use of force because it brings an even ground on which to base the war upon. Both parties involved would each have a way of defending themselves properly, only after all other efforts have been made to avoid getting into the war in the first place. Each of these tenets provide not only circumstances that make violence an okay thing to participate in,.....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Just War Seems To Be An Issue" (2011, August 27) Retrieved May 21, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/war-seems-issue-51919

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Just War Seems To Be An Issue" 27 August 2011. Web.21 May. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/war-seems-issue-51919>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Just War Seems To Be An Issue", 27 August 2011, Accessed.21 May. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/war-seems-issue-51919