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Single Idea 7292
[filed under theme 25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / a. Just wars
]
Full Idea
To Aquinas's three conditions for war (Idea 7291) modern theorists have added two others: that to be just a war must have a reasonable chance of success, and that the means used to conduct it must be proportional to the ends sought.
Gist of Idea
War must also have a good chance of success, and be waged with moderation
Source
A.C. Grayling (Among the Dead Cities [2006], Ch.6)
Book Ref
Grayling,A.C.: 'Among the Dead Cities' [Bloomsbury 2006], p.212
A Reaction
These two principles strike me as being much more civilized and humane than Aquinas's original contribution, suggesting that in our theoretical thinking we might be making some progress.
The
20 ideas
from A.C. Grayling
7293
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It is legitimate to do harm if it is the unintended side-effect of an effort to achieve a good
[Grayling]
|
7292
|
War must also have a good chance of success, and be waged with moderation
[Grayling]
|
6408
|
Russell needed three extra axioms to reduce maths to logic: infinity, choice and reducibility
[Grayling]
|
6414
|
Two propositions might seem self-evident, but contradict one another
[Grayling]
|
23253
|
Majority decisions are only acceptable if the minority interests are not vital
[Grayling]
|
23256
|
Liberty and equality cannot be reconciled
[Grayling]
|
23258
|
The very concept of democracy entails a need for justice
[Grayling]
|
23259
|
There should be separate legislative, executive and judicial institutions
[Grayling]
|
23260
|
A cap on time of service would restrict party control and career ambitions
[Grayling]
|
23262
|
Experience, sympathy and history are sensible grounds for laying claim to rights
[Grayling]
|
23263
|
Politics is driven by power cliques
[Grayling]
|
23254
|
Democracies should require a supermajority for major questions
[Grayling]
|
23255
|
It is essential for democracy that voting is free and well informed
[Grayling]
|
7809
|
In an honour code shame is the supreme punishment, and revenge is a duty
[Grayling]
|
7818
|
In Greek mythology only heroes can go to heaven
[Grayling]
|
7819
|
Religion gives answers, comforts, creates social order, and panders to superstition
[Grayling]
|
7817
|
To make an afterlife appealing, this life has to be denigrated
[Grayling]
|
7823
|
Lucretius was rediscovered in 1417
[Grayling]
|
7824
|
If suicide is lawful, but assisting suicide is unlawful, powerless people are denied their rights
[Grayling]
|
7091
|
The argument from analogy is not a strong inference, since the other being might be an actor or a robot
[Grayling]
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