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What are the principles of a Just War?

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What is the principle of a Just War? What determines a Just War?

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Solution Summary

Outline of the conventional principles of a just war and an outline of the criteria and moral standards a conflict needs to meet in order to be considered a just war.

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Just War Theory is an attempt to distinguish between justifiable and unjustifiable uses of armed force. Theories of Just War try to conceive of how the use of arms in a conflict could be restrained, made more humane, and ultimately directed towards a lasting peace.

The conventional Principles of Just War are:

-A just war can only be waged as a last resort. All non-violent options must be exhausted before the use of force can be justified.

-A war is just only if it is waged by a legitimate authority. Even just causes cannot be served by actions taken by individuals or groups who do not constitute an authority sanctioned by whatever the society and outsiders to the society deem legitimate.

-A just war can only be fought to redress a wrong suffered. For example, self-defense against an armed attack is always considered to be a just cause (although the justice of the cause is not sufficient). Further, a just war can only be fought with "right" intentions: the only ...

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