St. Augustine’s Theory of Just War

St. Augustine's Theory of Just War, developed in the early 5th century, asserts that war can be morally justified under certain conditions. It emphasizes that a war must be waged for a righteous cause, such as defending the innocent or protecting the common good. Additionally, it requires that the intention behind the war be peace rather than revenge or conquest. The use of proportionality and the minimization of harm to non-combatants are also crucial. Overall, Augustine's framework seeks to reconcile the realities of conflict with moral imperatives, guiding when and how to engage in warfare responsibly.