Just War in Western Traditions
The justification of war has been an ideal that has caused much debate and controversy for humanity throughout all time. It has been studied and interpreted by many theologians, philosophers, and politicians. There have many manuscripts documenting the correct use of war and the proper means of exercising force. Within the western tradition two main principles, the Christian and Islamic, have appeared that attempt to explain just war in relation to maintaining a peaceful society. Both of these traditions have similar main premises of a constant battle between a split society, one of good and the other of evil. However, there are many differences within each of the two respective religions view on the ideas of the conception of a well ordered society, the religious and secular influences on each ideology, and the justification and authorization of war.The Christian conception of a well-ordered, peaceful society, the City of God, was maintained and influenced by the ideal of just war. The City of God theory was created by St. Augustine of Hippo in the 4th century. His motivation for his writing was fueled by the decaying Roman Empire. St. Augustine felt that the collapse of the western empire to the invading barbarians re
The City of God finally recognized and accepted the inevitability of evil in history, and the further need that force employed to protect and preserve these religious values (Quest for Peace Idea, Johnson). In order to correct this situation God created salvation for the inhabitants of the City of Earth through grace. sulted from the peaceful Christian ethic. The basic premise for all just war is the concept of love for neighbor. The dar-al Islam is the area of peace and justice, it is considered to be the most secure place for all humans. Both the Christian and Islamic beliefs in their own concept of a well-ordered society directed their attitude for just war, and their methods in maintaining a world of bliss and peace. Another key concept in his theory was that of proper authorization of war. The constant battle between good and evil generated much of the ideals for justification of armed conflict. Using these criteria, Muslims used the jihad to extend their conceptual peaceful society, dar al-Islam. These two areas were constantly in a state of war with each other. This mixture and the just war criteria of "right authority" caused the need for a sole ruler to protect the City of God from evil. This just war tradition concerned itself with the moral issues of waging war. The continuing threat of the Dar al-harb provided the use defensive jihad, and the promotion of the dar al-Islam ideals lead to the use of the offensive jihad. Ius ad bellum included the following requirements: 1) just Cause 2) authorized by a competent authority 3) motivated by right intention 4) pass four prudential tests: it must a) be expected to produce a preponderance of good over evil, b) have a reasonable hope of success, c) be a last resort d) have peace as its expected outcome (Just Cause Revisited, Johnson). This entire society stemmed from individual motivation, and for love of neighbor.
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