Doctrine of the Just War

The Doctrine of the Just War provides ethical guidelines for when it is acceptable to go to war and how to conduct it responsibly. It stipulates that a war must have a just cause, such as self-defense or protecting innocent lives, be fought with proper authority, and have the right intention—aiming for peace or justice. Additionally, the use of force must be proportional to the threat, and efforts should be made to minimize harm to civilians. This framework seeks to ensure that war is a last resort and conducted ethically, emphasizing justice and restraint alongside military action.