Ethical Justification of War

The ethical justification of war refers to the moral reasons that can make going to war acceptable. It generally requires that the war is fought for a just cause, like defending innocent people or stopping serious injustice, and that it’s authorized by proper authority. The war must be a last resort after peaceful solutions have failed, and the expected benefits should outweigh the harm caused. Additionally, the conduct of war should follow principles like discrimination (targeting only combatants) and proportionality. These criteria aim to ensure that war is justified morally and minimizes unnecessary suffering.