Doctrine of Just War

The Doctrine of Just War is a moral framework guiding the justification for engaging in war and how it should be conducted. It asserts that for a war to be considered "just," it must meet certain criteria: the cause must be just (e.g., self-defense), it must be declared by a legitimate authority, and it needs to have a reasonable chance of success. Additionally, the conduct during war must adhere to principles of proportionality (avoiding excessive harm) and discrimination (protecting non-combatants). This doctrine seeks to ensure that war is a last resort and executed ethically.