Moral Constraints on War: Principles and Cases

by Bruno Coppieters (Editor), Carl Ceulemans (Editor), Nicholas Fotion (Editor), Ruben Apressyan (Contribution by), Carl Ceulemans (Contribution by)

Overview

This third edition of Moral Constraints on War offers a principle by principle presentation of the ethics of war as is found in the age-old tradition of the Just War. Parts one and two trace the evolution of Just War Theory, analyzing the principles of jus ad bellum and jus in bello: the principles that determine the conditions under which it is just to start a war and then conduct military operations. Each chapter provides a historical background of the principle under discussion and an in-depth analysis of its meaning. More so than in the previous editions, there is a special focus on the transcultural nature of the principles. Besides theoretical clarifications, each of the principles is also put to the test with numerous historical and contemporary examples. In Part three, Just War Theory is applied in three specific case studies: the use of the atomic bomb against Japan in World War II, the Korean War (1950-53), and the use of armed drones in the "war on terror." Bringing together an international coterie of philosophers and political scientists, this accessible and practical guide offers both students of military ethics and of international relations rich, up-to-date insights into the pluralistic character of Just War Theory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498556620
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	01/30/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	282
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Bruno Coppieters is professor of political science at Free University of Brussels.



Nicholas Fotion is emeritus professor of philosophy at Emory University.



Carl Ceulemans is professor of ethics and head of the department of behavioral sciences at the Belgian Royal Military Academy.

Table of Contents

Preface

Bruno Coppieters, Carl Ceulemans and Nick Fotion



Introduction

Nick Fotion, Bruno Coppieters, Carl Ceulemans, Ruben Apressyan, Zafer Kizilkaya and Xu Tian



PART I Jus ad Bellum



Chapter 1: Just Cause

Bruno Coppieters, Carl Ceulemans, Zafer Kizilkaya, Anthony Hartle and Xu Tian



Chapter 2: Legitimate Authority



Bruno Coppieters, Carl Ceulemans, Jelle Leunis, Xu Tian and Zafer Kizilkaya



Chapter 3: Right Intentions

Bruno Coppieters, Boris Kashnikov, Zafer Kizilkaya and Xu Tian



Chapter 4: Likelihood of Success

Nick Fotion, Bruno Coppieters, Zafer Kizilkaya and Xu Tian

Chapter 5: Proportionality

Nick Fotion, Zafer Kizilkaya, Xu Tian, Bruno Coppieters



Chapter 6: Last Resort

Bruno Coppieters, Ruben Apressyan, Boris Kashnikov, Zafer Kizilkaya and Xu Tian



PART II Jus in Bello



Chapter 7: Discrimination

Carl Ceulemans, Bruno Coppieters, Anthony Hartle, Zafer Kizilkaya, Jelle Leunis, Xu Tian and Guy Van Damme



Chapter 8: Proportionality

Nick Fotion, Bruno Coppieters, Zafer Kizilkaya, Guy Van Damme and Xu Tian



Chapter 9: The Doctrine of Double Effect

Bruno Coppieters and Nick Fotion



Chapter 10: Are Combatants Moral Equals?

Carl Ceulemans and Nick Fotion



PART III Cases



Chapter 11: Dropping the Atomic Bomb.

Nick Fotion



Chapter12: The Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Bruno Coppieters



Chapter 13:The Korean War, 1950-1953

Nick Fotion



Chapter 14: Drone Warfare

Carl Ceulemans and Jelle Leunis



Chapter 15: Concluding Comments

Nick Fotion, Bruno Coppieters, Carl Ceulemans and Xu Tian

What People are Saying About This

Rick Werner

I am impressed by the scholarship, breadth, and clarity of the work. The authors clearly discuss the various principles and rules of Just War Theory . . . and cover many diverse perspectives. The work draws on a number of helpful examples, including many from wars of the past decade, to create an international viewpoint.

Rex Martin

This well-integrated book is truly an impressive cross-cultural scholarly collaboration and international effort. It is a welcome addition to a large and growing literature and will prove to be an excellent value not only to interested scholars, but also in related undergraduate and graduate university courses in religion, philosophy, political science and international relations.

Dmitri Trenin

There is extensive literature that deals with threat perceptions in the United States, China, the European Union, and Russia. This book is unique in that it brings [to the debate] the application of transcultural ethical principles to the question of war.

Editorial Reviews

War continues to be a feature of the twenty-first century. As much as it jars with human conscience, it cannot be wished away - yet. Moral Constraints on War makes a solid case for putting moral constraints on this brutal activity, as long as it is permitted to exist. This is to be recommended to all those who have to make decisions about life and death.

Dmitri Trenin

This volume is a must-read for those interested in the morality of war. It provides a systematic overview of the just war criteria, thought provoking case studies, and is unique in its combination of various cultural perspectives.

Lonneke Peperkamp

This classic book is deservedly in its third, reinforced, and re-vitalized edition. The message is the same: fight only just wars, with due restraint, aiming throughout for nothing less than safe and lasting peace.

Patrick Mileham

The book is a very good demonstration of just-war theory's current relevance and importance.

Choice Reviews

Coppieters and Fotion have edited an interesting and useful volume on the contemporary relevance and application of just war theory.. .. the volume is a very welcome addition.. .. it offers good insights into the debate on the ethics of war and ultimately enriches the debate.

Millennium: Journal of International Studies

I am impressed by the scholarship, breadth, and clarity of the work. The authors clearly discuss the various principles and rules of Just War Theory. .. and cover many diverse perspectives. The work draws on a number of helpful examples, including many from wars of the past decade, to create an international viewpoint.

Rick Werner

For a reader who is looking for an interesting, concise, and well-organized book on the just war criteria, utilizing contemporary examples to demonstrate how they work, this volume is a must-read.

H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online

The book will be of special interest to anyone working in the field of military ethics, and it will also be valuable to others with an interest in moral issues in the context of war.

Journal of Peace Research

This well-integrated book is truly an impressive cross-cultural scholarly collaboration and international effort. It is a welcome addition to a large and growing literature and will prove to be an excellent value not only to interested scholars, but also in related undergraduate and graduate university courses in religion, philosophy, political science and international relations.

Rex Martin

The book is a very good demonstration of just-war theory's current relevance and importance.

Choice

This well-integrated book is truly an impressive cross-cultural scholarly collaboration and international effort. It is a welcome addition to a large and growing literature and will prove to be an excellent value not only to interested scholars, but also in related undergraduate and graduate university courses in religion, philosophy, political science and international relations.--Rex Martin, University of Kansas

There is extensive literature that deals with threat perceptions in the United States, China, the European Union, and Russia. This book is unique in that it brings [to the debate] the application of transcultural ethical principles to the question of war.--Dmitri Trenin, Carnegie Moscow Center

I am impressed by the scholarship, breadth, and clarity of the work. The authors clearly discuss the various principles and rules of Just War Theory . . . and cover many diverse perspectives. The work draws on a number of helpful examples, including many from wars of the past decade, to create an international viewpoint.--Rick Werner, Hamilton College

From the Publisher

The book is a very good demonstration of just-war theory's current relevance and importance.

CHOICE

The book will be of special interest to anyone working in the field of military ethics, and it will also be valuable to others with an interest in moral issues in the context of war.

Journal Of Peace Research