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. |
From inside the book
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Page 2
... soldiers who fought in it'19 in terms of the moral burden of responsibility that each should bear; the great Babylonian leader Sennacherib observed just such a distinction after the campaign against Jerusalem in 690 BC.20 The Hindu Book ...
... soldiers who fought in it'19 in terms of the moral burden of responsibility that each should bear; the great Babylonian leader Sennacherib observed just such a distinction after the campaign against Jerusalem in 690 BC.20 The Hindu Book ...
Page 7
... soldier'.59 Certainly , Augustine does not seek to do anything that could be construed as an attempt to lay the foundations for international law . However , Miller's observation might actually provide addi- tional justification for the ...
... soldier'.59 Certainly , Augustine does not seek to do anything that could be construed as an attempt to lay the foundations for international law . However , Miller's observation might actually provide addi- tional justification for the ...
Page 11
... soldiers , prisoners of war , clergymen , women not in the military , children , the aged , and the infirm , all of whom are presumed not to be engaged in the war effort.64 To these two jus in bello principles we may add a third ( as ...
... soldiers , prisoners of war , clergymen , women not in the military , children , the aged , and the infirm , all of whom are presumed not to be engaged in the war effort.64 To these two jus in bello principles we may add a third ( as ...
Page 17
... wrong-doing, in order that he may not repeat the offence and that others may be deterred from doing wrong.19 Discrimination Cicero specifies, as Augustine will, that those soldiers who The Historical and Philosophical Landscape 17.
... wrong-doing, in order that he may not repeat the offence and that others may be deterred from doing wrong.19 Discrimination Cicero specifies, as Augustine will, that those soldiers who The Historical and Philosophical Landscape 17.
Page 18
... soldiers. He makes clear that war in ancient Rome was quite a formal affair – that soldiers were not legally permitted to participate in war unless they had taken an oath of allegiance pertaining to their service under the Roman eagle ...
... soldiers. He makes clear that war in ancient Rome was quite a formal affair – that soldiers were not legally permitted to participate in war unless they had taken an oath of allegiance pertaining to their service under the Roman eagle ...
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