Arguments Against Just War

Words: 1371
Pages: 6
Open Document
Introduction

The just war paradigm critically outlines a set of vital principles that must be upheld in order to conduct war in a morally justified manner. To execute the war justly, all six principles of the jus ad bellum must be enforced (Jackson, 2011). Jus ad bellum outlines the necessary components required for the resort to war to be justified (McMahan, 2005). These components include having a just cause, right intention, last resort, proportionality, reasonable chance of success and a proper authority (McMahan, 2005). In the event of Australia bombing terrorist groups, such as ISIS in Syria, Australia must satisfy the criterion of jus ad bellum completely. The essay will commence with firstly exploring how Australia is justified under …show more content…
Subsequently, if Australia is to intervene for humanitarian purposes, in support of US, then they are not justified, as they must be requested by the Syrian government to intervene. The second consideration is of proportionality, and how the benefits do not currently outweigh the costs in participating. The third consideration is last resort, a principle that has been satisfied, considering Australia has limited options but to issue a bombing campaign. A final consideration is whether there is a reasonable chance of success, and how this can only be assessed by exploring all areas of the impact a war can have. With right intention and proper authority, it is difficult to discuss these principles considering they can only be assessed in the present moment of the campaign unfolding. Thus, I will argue that Australia would not be justified in bombing ISIS targets in Syria, because at least more than one principle fails to uphold the criteria …show more content…
Just cause ‘specifies the ends for which it is permissible to engage in war, or it is permissible to pursue by means of war’ (McMahan 2005, p.2). Considering Australia has endured losses as a result of ISIS attacks at a Sydney café and serious injury to police officers, it becomes reasonable to assume that they have the right to retaliate by protecting themselves. Article 51 of the UN Charter restricts armed attacks, except in the case of self-defence, and this emphasises on the rationality of when two states should participate in war (Kretzmer, 2013). Self-defence is considered the only appropriate means by which it is appropriate to engage in war, under just cause (McMahan, 2005). A country must first be attacked, essentially, in order to participate in the acts of war, of killing and maiming people, in a justified manner (McMahan, 2005). However, it is important to recognise that it is unethical to participate in armed force through self-defence for retributive purposes; and this is where if Australia were to attack the rebel groups in Syria, they would require a ‘right intention’ in ensuring it is not a vengeful attack, but rather one of a protective nature (Kretzmer,
Show More

Related Documents: Arguments Against Just War

Just War Vietnam Essay

Just War – Was the Vietnam War justifiable? The Vietnam War occurred between the years of 1959-75, involving the Viet Cong against the Republic of Vietnam and the USA. It is arguable that the war was a civil war that the United States of America simply impeded on. Whether or not the involvement of the USA was justifiable comes is questionable. Casualties: United States: 58,119 killed, 153,303 wounded, 1,948 missing in action South Vietnam 230,000 killed and 1,169,763 wounded (estimated) North Vietnam…

Words 400 - Pages 2

Summary Of Free Speech In Wartime

States in World War I. The speech was delivered on October 6, 1917 and the audience intended was the American people, the government officials, and President Woodrow Wilson. In 1917, the US entered World War I, because of Germany’s attacks against neutral unarmed ships and liners, secret communication with Mexico, and sinking of the American’s merchant ships. The events taken place in this period explains the author’s strong use of persuasive rhetoric, argumentative tone and diction against the entry of…

Words 607 - Pages 3

Mlk's Argument Against The Vietnam War

come out in his works. And when king makes a persuasive argument he builds it up using examples and comparisons between what he is arguing and events that relate to it that help to prove . MLK builds an argument against the Vietnam war by using his logical comparisons of the situation to persuade people to see it as it is. One of his main goals was to help groups of people get civil rights, especially african americans. And the vietnam war was sending black men thousands of miles away to fight…

Words 438 - Pages 2

Torture and War Essay

Torture and Just War So much for diplomacy and the using of non-violence to retrieve valuable information from criminals. Our world today is much different from what it was so many hundred years ago when torture was seen as something proper and necessary that was the basis for people telling the truth or risking getting killed or seriously injured in the process. Nowadays there is so much red tape and bureaucracies that individuals have to respect before even thinking of perusing making it near…

Words 1408 - Pages 6

Explain Why The Church Should Not Be Allowed To Fight

points that could be brought up that supports the just war theory, but no matter what, there is no real argument against Christians individually fighting. The church should be a place that brings people together in the name of God, and shields away from all politics.…

Words 764 - Pages 4

Hegemony or Survival Essay

Chomsky’s argument in Hegemony or Survival is that the United States has been using the “Imperial Grand Strategy” in order to keep their world dominance. The United States’ pursuit for hegemony overpowers the public’s opinion, human rights, and the survival of mankind all over the world. Chomsky’s argument also states that the United States only cares about themselves, and being the most powerful nation in the world. In order to be at the top the U.S. frequently engages in “preventive war” argues Chomsky…

Words 498 - Pages 2

LOGOS War essay

Module 107: Brothers in Arms- Is war justifiable? Look closely at 2 or 3 philosophical arguments for or against “war”. War is defined as the “state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country” (Oxford Dictionaries, 2012 and is typically characterised as being extremely violent, resulting in high rates of mortality. There are many philosophical and theological arguments supporting and contesting its justification. From a moral perspective, killing another…

Words 1313 - Pages 6

Just War Theory Essay examples

Religion (Just War) Christianity preaches peace and loving your neighbor but for the history of christianity, there has been violence and war in its name. For Many years people have been killing other human beings in the name of christ or justifying their killings by saying that the war is in the name of god. The belief that violence and war can be justified is called the “Just War Theory.” Just war is a war that is justified because it is necessary for peace to happen. Just war theory has…

Words 2510 - Pages 11

Editha Pro Imperialists

therefore on the war. Pro-imperialists were like Editha in “Editha” and strongly believed that war was necessary. They were very enthusiastic about the prospect of war, believing that was “a sacred war. A war for liberty, and humanity, if there ever was one,” (Howells, 1446). Pro-imperialists didn’t see the harsher side of war, the shell shock and the death. They used the argument of sacred wars, liberty, and humanity to appeal to people’s American values and convince them to go to war. Editha is a perfect…

Words 471 - Pages 2

Essay about Rhetorical Analysis of Martin Luther King's "Beyond Vietnam: a Time to Break Silence"

King asserts that the war in Vietnam is totally immoral and has far reaching negative implications not only for Vietnam, but for The United States and the rest of the World as well. Dr. King’s purpose is to make the church leaders he is speaking to aware that the time has come for them to speak out loudly in opposition of the war in Vietnam. He offers many practical reasons for the opposition, as well as spiritual and moral reasons. He then outlines the history of the war in Vietnam, showing that…

Words 997 - Pages 4