lesson aim to consider some examples of war to learn about the just war theory
TRANSCRIPT
Lesson Aim To consider some examples of war To learn about the Just War Theory
Why do nations go to war?
Why do nations go to war?
Historical Reasons
Protection of others
ReligiousReasons
Self-Defence
Resources
Nationalism
Political Ideology
READ
Take a few minutes to read the handout
“Brief Examples of War”
Some examples of wars.....
World War 2, 1939-1945
What were the reasons for this war?
World War 2, 1939-1945
What were the reasons for this war?
Land
Self Defence
Political Ideology
Vietnam 1965-1975
What were the reasons for this war?
Vietnam 1965-1975
What were the reasons for this war?
Political Ideology
Gulf War 1991
What were the reasons for this war?
Gulf War 1991
What were the reasons for this war?
LandResources
Iraq War, 2003 –
What were the reasons for this war?
Iraq War, 2003 –
What were the reasons for this war?
Resources Protection of others (?)
Political Ideology
Afghanistan, 2001 -
What were the reasons for this war?
Afghanistan, 2001 -
What were the reasons for this war?
Protection of others
Political Ideology
Moral Implications of War
Is it ever right to go to war? What do you think?
Moral Implications of War
Is it ever right to go to war? What do you think?
What might a utilitarian think??
Is it ever right to go to war?
A possible utilitarian response....
Yes, sometimes it is right to go to war. Although war causes a lot of pain it often results in greater good in the long term. War is sometimes necessary to protect freedom for the majority.
If the benefits outweighed the drawbacks, then war is morally justifiable.
Is it ever right to go to war?
Are some reasons better than others for going to war?
TASK: In groups: - Decide what reasons you think are
acceptable for going to war
Is it ever right to go to war?
How should an army behave when at war?
TASK: In groups: - Should there be a code of conduct when at
war? If so, what?
`
Do you remember the Just War Theory?
'JUST'?
Dictionary Definition: - “Righteous” “Guided by truth,
reason, justice, and
fairness”
St Thomas Aquinas, a 13th century monk and philosopher, came up with the criteria for a Just War, to help Christians know whether war was the right action to take.He laid the foundations for what we
now call the Just War Theory.
His Aim: To help Christians know
when it is right to go to war and how
to conduct themselves during a war.
Today the Just War Theory provides people of all religions (and none!) moral guidance on when it is 'right' to go to war.
According to the Just War Theory...
When is it right to go to war?
There must be a good reason for the war
According to the Just War Theory...
When is it right to go to war?
There must be a good reason for the war It must be the last resort – only after all other
methods have been tried
According to the Just War Theory...
When is it right to go to war?
There must be a good reason for the war It must be the last resort – only after all other
methods have been tried The war should be fought to promote good over
evil
According to the Just War Theory...
When is it right to go to war?
There must be a good reason for the war It must be the last resort – only after all other
methods have been tried The war should be fought to promote good over
evil
In Latin this is ‘Jus ad Bellum’!
The Just War Theory also gives a set of 'rules' on how both sides should behave during a war.
What do you think these rules would be??
According to the Just War Theory...
The Rules for War There should be proportionality in the war
According to the Just War Theory...
The Rules for War There should be proportionality in the war Civilian casualties should be avoided
According to the Just War Theory...
The Rules for War There should be proportionality in the war Civilian casualties should be avoided The war can only be started by the government
According to the Just War Theory...
The Rules for War There should be proportionality in the war Civilian casualties should be avoided The war can only be started by the government
In Latin this is ‘Jus in Bellum’!
Copy the Following...
Jus ad Bellum: When it is acceptable to go to war
Jus in Bellum: What it is acceptable to do in war
That’s more like it
Copy the following table in your jotters For each condition create an appropriate illustration or
symbol
Must be good reason for war
War must be the last resort
War should be fought to promote good over evil
There must be proportionality in the war
Civilian casualties should be avoided
The war can only be started by the government
Copy the following table in your jotters For each condition create an appropriate illustration or
symbol
Must be good reason for war
War must be the last resort
War should be fought to promote good over evil
There must be proportionality in the war
Civilian casualties should be avoided
The war can only be started by the government
Task 1: Was the Second World War a just war?
Working in pairs
Read carefully the information about the Second World War and discuss which condition of the just war theory the information relates to.
Do you think the conditions for a just war were met during WW2?
Task 2: In your jotters……
The Second World War was / was not a just war because……..
(list all the reasons that you discussed)
The Rules for a Just War
You may find some lists with more conditions for a Just War. We will work with 6 conditions but the other lists are also legitimate conditions that you can use.
Try to make an ACRONYM or some other learning technique (song, pictures etc.) to help you remember the list of 6 conditions.
Tasks
Read p.89 Pink book. Questions 1-3