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Philosophy

Just War Theory and the Ethics of Armed Conflict

Quick fact

The term 'just war' dates back to ancient Rome (Cicero) and was later developed by Christian thinkers like Augustine and Aquinas. The modern United Nations Charter, which limits self-defense as a legal justification for war, echoes these ancient ethical limits.

Why this is interesting

Few of us pause to ask: under what conditions is it actually moral to go to war? Surprisingly, many of our instincts about 'just wars' were codified centuries ago by philosophers and theologians, and they still shape today's decisions.