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
... virtue of position in the social framework , to possess authority to make such a declara- tion , namely , that person or body with no political superior . Last resort Not even those authorized to declare war are justified in doing so if ...
... virtue of position in the social framework , to possess authority to make such a declara- tion , namely , that person or body with no political superior . Last resort Not even those authorized to declare war are justified in doing so if ...
Page 20
... virtues of antiquity ( prudence , justice , temperance , and fortitude ) into Christian philosophy.3 He speaks of ... virtue associated with one's risking one's life in defence of one's country . By way of example , he notes that ...
... virtues of antiquity ( prudence , justice , temperance , and fortitude ) into Christian philosophy.3 He speaks of ... virtue associated with one's risking one's life in defence of one's country . By way of example , he notes that ...
Page 22
... virtue , courage of the kind which is found operable in military settings has the potential to militate against the re - establishment of peace . Hence , for Ambrose , the whole reason why virtue and physical courage enjoy a proper ...
... virtue , courage of the kind which is found operable in military settings has the potential to militate against the re - establishment of peace . Hence , for Ambrose , the whole reason why virtue and physical courage enjoy a proper ...
Page 26
... virtue of their Roman citizenship , for one does not become just as the result of membership in a state . Augustine makes plain that the divine law which includes the knowledge requisite for giving to each his or her due – that is , the ...
... virtue of their Roman citizenship , for one does not become just as the result of membership in a state . Augustine makes plain that the divine law which includes the knowledge requisite for giving to each his or her due – that is , the ...
Page 29
... virtue of being intermixed, they will, therefore, realize that it is in their mutual best interests to cooperate in harmony and peace. Rather, it means that among all peoples will be found those whose base desire for glory and ...
... virtue of being intermixed, they will, therefore, realize that it is in their mutual best interests to cooperate in harmony and peace. Rather, it means that among all peoples will be found those whose base desire for glory and ...
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