St. Augustine and the Theory of Just WarThe decline of the Roman Empire gave rise to two problems, which combined to form one of the most perplexing philosophical questions of late antiquity. On the one hand, Rome found itself under constant military threat as various tribes from the north and east encroached along its borders to fill the power vacuum left by the receding Empire. On the other hand, adherents to the Empire's new official faith - Christianity - found themselves without clear guidance as to what military roles their faith would permit; the death of the apostles left them without revelatory guidance, and the New Testament writings were not definitive on the subject. The question, then, became: "Can a Christian answer the empire's call to military duty and still answer a clear conscience before God?" Fifth-century philosopher, St Augustine of Hippo, sought to provide a solution to the two problems. His approach formed the foundation of the 'just war' tradition, which has had enormous influence upon moral-philosophical thought on military issues in the West ever since. This major new study identifies the fundamental Augustinian premises and evaluates them in light of historical, neo-Platonic, and Christian contexts. It also identifies the effect of the Augustinian legacy upon medieval and modern philosophical reflections on the nature of warfare and on how war might be waged justly and morally. |
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Page 4
... letters and apologetic pieces , which were written over a period of more than thirty years . As a result , the ... letter's contents to those who are ' prepared by the piety of faith to give ear to it'.39 ' For ' , says Augustine ...
... letters and apologetic pieces , which were written over a period of more than thirty years . As a result , the ... letter's contents to those who are ' prepared by the piety of faith to give ear to it'.39 ' For ' , says Augustine ...
Page 6
... letters , will often provide us with material that throws quite as vivid a light on his basic assumptions as do his professed formulations of political theory . ' , 53 Augustinian priorities , 52 Augustine the just - war thinker is also ...
... letters , will often provide us with material that throws quite as vivid a light on his basic assumptions as do his professed formulations of political theory . ' , 53 Augustinian priorities , 52 Augustine the just - war thinker is also ...
Page 13
... Letter 138.1, NPNF I, 481. 37 See, for example, Augustine, City of God XIX, trans. Henry Bettenson (London: Penguin Books, 1984). 38 Augustine, Letter 138.1, NPNF I, 481. 39 Ibid. 40 Ibid. 41 Swift 1983, 110, 111. 42 Ibid., 111. 43 On ...
... Letter 138.1, NPNF I, 481. 37 See, for example, Augustine, City of God XIX, trans. Henry Bettenson (London: Penguin Books, 1984). 38 Augustine, Letter 138.1, NPNF I, 481. 39 Ibid. 40 Ibid. 41 Swift 1983, 110, 111. 42 Ibid., 111. 43 On ...
Page 18
... letter of international agreements in utter disregard for the spirit of the agreements: 'Injustice often arises also through chicanery, that is, through an over-subtle and even fraudulent con- struction of the law. This it is that gave ...
... letter of international agreements in utter disregard for the spirit of the agreements: 'Injustice often arises also through chicanery, that is, through an over-subtle and even fraudulent con- struction of the law. This it is that gave ...
Page 21
... letter to Emperor Theodosius concerning the matter , Ambrose warns the Emperor against punishing the Christians by requiring them to make resti- tution . Referring to the synagogue as ' a home of unbelief , a house of impiety , a ...
... letter to Emperor Theodosius concerning the matter , Ambrose warns the Emperor against punishing the Christians by requiring them to make resti- tution . Referring to the synagogue as ' a home of unbelief , a house of impiety , a ...
Contents
1 | |
14 | |
3 Augustines JustWar Theory | 44 |
4 NeoPlatonism and the Augustinian Just War | 92 |
5 Christianity and the Augustinian Just War | 121 |
6 Augustines Theory and Beyond | 161 |
Bibliography | 180 |
Index | 191 |
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Common terms and phrases
Ambrose Amorites Ante-Nicene Fathers army Augus Augustine argues Augustine takes Augustine's just-war theory Augustinian authority Bainton barbarians bellum principle Book of Psalms Catholic cause Christ Christian Church Cicero Cirta citizens City of God claim comparative justice considered defence doctrine Donatist earthly city enemy evil example exists fact faith Fathers Faustus the Manichaean fight Gilson God’s Hence hierarchy History human Ibid injustice James Turner Johnson Jesus jus ad bellum jus in bello justified kind Letter Lord's Sermon Manichæan means merely moral Moses nation nature Neo-Platonic Nevertheless NPNF VII NPNFI Old Testament one’s pacifist Patristic writers peace philosophical Plato Plotinus political position Princeton problem Psalms punishment reason Reply to Faustus result right intention righteous Roman Empire Rome says Augustine Scriptures soldiers sovereign specifically temporal things tine tion Translated true justice ultimate University Press violence violent action virtue wage wars fought writings York