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
... to those who are ' prepared by the piety of faith to give ear to it'.39 ' For ' , says Augustine , ' there are many things ' from which the minds of the spiritually or philosophically ill 4 Saint Augustine and the Theory of Just War.
... to those who are ' prepared by the piety of faith to give ear to it'.39 ' For ' , says Augustine , ' there are many things ' from which the minds of the spiritually or philosophically ill 4 Saint Augustine and the Theory of Just War.
Page 10
... things, as an occasion for national reflection as to whether all means short of war truly have been exhausted prior to the com- mitment to the enterprise of the nation's resolve, energies, and resources. The declaration may come in the ...
... things, as an occasion for national reflection as to whether all means short of war truly have been exhausted prior to the com- mitment to the enterprise of the nation's resolve, energies, and resources. The declaration may come in the ...
Page 23
... thing justice is , ' says Ambrose , ' can be gathered from the fact that there is no place , nor person , nor time ... things were in Augustine's day , it is instructive to note the socio - political circumstances prevalent during much ...
... thing justice is , ' says Ambrose , ' can be gathered from the fact that there is no place , nor person , nor time ... things were in Augustine's day , it is instructive to note the socio - political circumstances prevalent during much ...
Page 24
... things political to things heavenly . Augustine and Cicero agree that the preservation of the state is a desirable aim . However , their reasons for this position are very different ; and it is this difference , perhaps more than any ...
... things political to things heavenly . Augustine and Cicero agree that the preservation of the state is a desirable aim . However , their reasons for this position are very different ; and it is this difference , perhaps more than any ...
Page 26
... things presently unobtainable , namely , those things associated with a heavenly reward in the kingdom of God . ' Observe ye two kinds of men , ' says Augustine , the one of men labouring , the other of those among whom they labour ...
... things presently unobtainable , namely , those things associated with a heavenly reward in the kingdom of God . ' Observe ye two kinds of men , ' says Augustine , the one of men labouring , the other of those among whom they labour ...
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