St. Augustine and the Theory of Just WarThe decline of the Roman Empire gave rise to two problems, which combined to form one of the most perplexing philosophical questions of late antiquity. On the one hand, Rome found itself under constant military threat as various tribes from the north and east encroached along its borders to fill the power vacuum left by the receding Empire. On the other hand, adherents to the Empire's new official faith - Christianity - found themselves without clear guidance as to what military roles their faith would permit; the death of the apostles left them without revelatory guidance, and the New Testament writings were not definitive on the subject. The question, then, became: "Can a Christian answer the empire's call to military duty and still answer a clear conscience before God?" Fifth-century philosopher, St Augustine of Hippo, sought to provide a solution to the two problems. His approach formed the foundation of the 'just war' tradition, which has had enormous influence upon moral-philosophical thought on military issues in the West ever since. This major new study identifies the fundamental Augustinian premises and evaluates them in light of historical, neo-Platonic, and Christian contexts. It also identifies the effect of the Augustinian legacy upon medieval and modern philosophical reflections on the nature of warfare and on how war might be waged justly and morally. |
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Page 9
... defence of the innocent against armed attack , the recovery of persons or property wrongly taken , or the punishment of evil . Comparative justice Although war exists as an ethical possibility , there also exists a strong presumption ...
... defence of the innocent against armed attack , the recovery of persons or property wrongly taken , or the punishment of evil . Comparative justice Although war exists as an ethical possibility , there also exists a strong presumption ...
Page 10
... defence even in the face of seemingly over- whelming odds, a war that presents little or no hope of serving as a vehicle for obtaining satisfaction for just grievances is not morally justifiable. Proportionality The moral good expected ...
... defence even in the face of seemingly over- whelming odds, a war that presents little or no hope of serving as a vehicle for obtaining satisfaction for just grievances is not morally justifiable. Proportionality The moral good expected ...
Page 15
... defence of its honour or its safety'.5 This fragment , preserved by Augustine , reveals much of importance about Cicero's ( and later Augus- tine's ) most fundamental views on war . It establishes , first and foremost , the Ciceronian ...
... defence of its honour or its safety'.5 This fragment , preserved by Augustine , reveals much of importance about Cicero's ( and later Augus- tine's ) most fundamental views on war . It establishes , first and foremost , the Ciceronian ...
Page 16
... defence from invasion precisely because glory is less just a cause than revenge or defence . Cicero still allows for the propriety of wars fought for glory , albeit with some hesitancy . ( In contrast , Augustine will rec- ognize ...
... defence from invasion precisely because glory is less just a cause than revenge or defence . Cicero still allows for the propriety of wars fought for glory , albeit with some hesitancy . ( In contrast , Augustine will rec- ognize ...
Page 19
... the Empire – especially in those frontier provinces most affected by the invasions . Ambrose was able to justify Christian participation in 31 the defence of the Empire because for him , The Historical and Philosophical Landscape 19.
... the Empire – especially in those frontier provinces most affected by the invasions . Ambrose was able to justify Christian participation in 31 the defence of the Empire because for him , The Historical and Philosophical Landscape 19.
Contents
1 | |
14 | |
3 Augustines JustWar Theory | 44 |
4 NeoPlatonism and the Augustinian Just War | 92 |
5 Christianity and the Augustinian Just War | 121 |
6 Augustines Theory and Beyond | 161 |
Bibliography | 180 |
Index | 191 |
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Common terms and phrases
Ambrose Amorites Ante-Nicene Fathers army Augus Augustine argues Augustine takes Augustine's just-war theory Augustinian authority Bainton barbarians bellum principle Book of Psalms Catholic cause Christ Christian Church Cicero Cirta citizens City of God claim comparative justice considered defence doctrine Donatist earthly city enemy evil example exists fact faith Fathers Faustus the Manichaean fight Gilson God’s Hence hierarchy History human Ibid injustice James Turner Johnson Jesus jus ad bellum jus in bello justified kind Letter Lord's Sermon Manichæan means merely moral Moses nation nature Neo-Platonic Nevertheless NPNF VII NPNFI Old Testament one’s pacifist Patristic writers peace philosophical Plato Plotinus political position Princeton problem Psalms punishment reason Reply to Faustus result right intention righteous Roman Empire Rome says Augustine Scriptures soldiers sovereign specifically temporal things tine tion Translated true justice ultimate University Press violence violent action virtue wage wars fought writings York