Adventures in Flawed Moral vs Ethical Guilt-Pride Centric Identities...

...the Moral (vice Ethical) Virtue-Signaling Manifesto.

A "Just War" Casus Belli Rationalization

from Google AI:

Just war theory is a framework in ethics and international law evaluating when to go to war (jus ad bellum) and how to conduct it justly (jus in bello). It requires a legitimate authority, just cause (like self-defense), right intent, last resort, and reasonable success probability. It insists on proportional violence and discrimination between combatants and civilians. 

Key Principles of Just War Theory

The theory is divided into two main categories, with a third often added for post-war conduct:

Jus ad Bellum (Conditions for Going to War):

• Just Cause: War must be fought to confront grave injustice, such as defending against an armed attack, rather than for conquest or vengeance.
• Legitimate Authority: War must be declared by a lawful, recognized government or authority.
• Right Intention: The goal must be to restore a just peace, not for selfish gains or vengeance.
• Last Resort: All non-violent alternatives (diplomacy, sanctions) must be exhausted.
• Proportionality (War Level): The expected benefits of fighting must outweigh the potential damage, with a reasonable chance of success.

Jus in Bello (Conduct Within War):

• Discrimination/Distinction: Armed forces must distinguish between combatants and civilians, protecting non-combatants from direct attack.
• Proportionality (Action Level): The violence used must be proportionate to the injury suffered; excessive force is prohibited.

Jus post Bellum (Justice After War):

• The goal is to restore a peace that is superior to the pre-war situation, ensuring justice and stability. 

Historical Development

The tradition began with classical thinkers like Aristotle and Cicero, and was heavily developed by Christian theologians including Augustine of Hippo, who emphasized using force to restore peace, and Thomas Aquinas, who codified the three requirements of legitimate authority, just cause, and right intention. 

Modern Application and Challenges

• Modern Conflicts: The theory is often criticized as difficult to apply in high-tech, modern warfare, where high civilian casualties occur.
• Contemporary Relevance: Despite its age, it remains valid to many as a framework for analyzing ethical dilemmas, such as humanitarian interventions or pre-emptive self-defense against threats.
• Critics: Some, including current religious leaders, argue that modern warfare often violates all of the theory’s conditions, rendering the concept of a "just war" obsolete and preferring absolute nonviolence.

So what Happened to the Missing Ethical "Legitimate Authority" Determination Step? 

The "Wide Awakes" are 1/2 Asleep (aka- "woke" BAMN ethics)!