The Ethics of War and Peace: Religious and Secular Perspectives (Ethikon Series in Comparative Ethics)

A superb introduction to the ethical aspects of war and peace, this collection of tightly integrated essays explores the reasons for waging war and for fighting with restraint as formulated in a diversity of ethical traditions, religious and secular. Beginning with the classic debate between political realism and natural law, this book seeks to expand the conversation by bringing in the voices of Judaism, Islam, Christian pacifism, and contemporary feminism. In so doing, it addresses a set of questions: How do the adherents to each viewpoint understand the ideas of war and peace? What attitudes toward war and peace are reflected in these understandings? What grounds for war, if any, are recognized within each perspective? What constraints apply to the conduct of war? Can these constraints be set aside in situations of extremity? Each contributor responds to this set of questions on behalf of the ethical perspective he or she is presenting. The concluding chapters compare and contrast the perspectives presented without seeking to adjudicate their differences. Because of its inclusive, objective, comparative, and dialogic approach, the book serves as a valuable resource for scholars, journalists, policymakers, and anyone else who wants to acquire a better understanding of the range of moral viewpoints that shape current discussion of war and peace. In addition to the editor, the contributors are Joseph Boyle, Michael G. Cartwright, Jean Bethke Elshtain, John Finnis, Sohail H. Hashmi, Theodore J. Koontz, David R. Mapel, Jeff McMahan, Richard B. Miller, Aviezer Ravitzky, Bassam Tibi, Sarah Tobias, and Michael Walzer. Shaun Casey - Harvard Divinity Bulletin It is apparent that discussions in the international arena, of justice in general and war in particular, will have to pay increasing attention to a diversity of religious views. With this growing awareness of religion in mind, the appearance of The Ethics of War and Peace is fortuitous. A Superb Introduction To The Ethical Aspects Of War And Peace, This Collection Of Tightly Integrated Essays Explores The Reasons For Waging War And For Fighting With Restraint As Formulated In A Diversity Of Ethical Traditions, Religious And Secular. Beginning With The Classic Debate Between Political Realism And Natural Law, This Book Seeks To Expand The Conversation By Bringing In The Voices Of Judaism, Islam, Christian Pacifism, And Contemporary Feminism. In So Doing, It Addresses A Set Of Questions: How Do The Adherents To Each Viewpoint Understand The Ideas Of War And Peace? What Attitudes Toward War And Peace Are Reflected In These Understandings? What Grounds For War, If Any, Are Recognized Within Each Perspective? What Constraints Apply To The Conduct Of War? Can These Constraints Be Set Aside In Situations Of Extremity? Each Contributor Responds To This Set Of Questions On Behalf Of The Ethical Perspective He Or She Is Presenting. The Concluding Chapters Compare And Contrast The Perspectives Presented Without Seeking To Adjudicate Their Differences. The Ethics Of War And Peace In The Catholic Natural Law Tradition / John Finnis -- Just War Thinking In Catholic Natural Law / Joseph Boyle -- Realism And The Ethics Of War And Peace / David R. Mapel -- Realism, Morality, And War / Jeff Mcmahan -- War And Peace In The Jewish Tradition / Michael Walzer -- Prohibited Wars In The Jewish Tradition / Aviezer Ravitzky -- War And Peace In Islam / Bassam Tibi -- Interpreting The Islamic Ethics Of War And Peace / Sohail H. Hashmi -- Christian Nonviolence : An Interpretation / Theodore J. Koontz -- Conflicting Interpretations Of Christian Pacifism / Michael G. Cartwright -- Is There A Feminist Tradition On War And Peace? / Jean Bethke Elshtain -- Toward A Feminist Ethic Of War And Peace / Sarah Tobias -- The Comparative Ethics Of War And Peace / Terry Nardin -- Divine Justice, Evil, And Tradition : Comparative Reflections / Richard B. Miller. Edited By Terry Nardin. Originated At A Conference On The Ethics Of War And Peace Held In January 1993 At The Notre Dame Of Jerusalem Center--pref. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Offering an introduction to the ethical aspects of war and peace, this collection of essays explores the reasons for waging war and for fighting with restraint as formulated in a diversity of ethical traditions, religious and secular.