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The Ethics of War. Part I: Historical Trends†
Article first published online: 2 MAY 2012
DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-9991.2011.00458.x
© 2012 The Authors. Philosophy Compass © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
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How to Cite
Begby, E., Reichberg, G. and Syse, H. (2012), The Ethics of War. Part I: Historical Trends. Philosophy Compass, 7: 316–327. doi: 10.1111/j.1747-9991.2011.00458.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 2 MAY 2012
- Article first published online: 2 MAY 2012
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Abstract
This article surveys the major historical developments in Western philosophical reflection on war. Section 2 outlines early development in Greek and Roman thought, up to and including Augustine. Section 3 details the systematization of Just War theory in Aquinas and his successors, especially Vitoria, Suárez, and Grotius. Section 4 examines the emergence of Perpetual Peace theory after Hobbes, focusing in particular on Rousseau and Kant. Finally, Section 5 outlines the central points of contention following the reemergence of Just War theory in the 1970s.2