The Ethics of War

The ethics of war, also called just war theory, explores when it is morally acceptable to engage in war and how it should be conducted. It emphasizes that war should only be a last resort, and actions during war must be morally justified, aiming to minimize suffering. The principles include just cause (a legitimate reason), proper authority (authorized decision-makers), right intention (aiming for peace or justice), and proportionality (using force wisely). Ethical conduct also requires avoiding harm to innocent civilians and respecting human rights, balancing the necessity of conflict with moral responsibility.