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Single Idea 7236

[from 'The Social Contract (tr Cress)' by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in 25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / b. Justice in war ]

Full Idea

War gives no right to inflict any more destruction than is necessary for victory.

Gist of Idea

War gives no right to inflict more destruction than is necessary for victory

Source

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (The Social Contract (tr Cress) [1762], I.4)

Book Reference

Rousseau,Jean-Jacques: 'The Social Contract', ed/tr. Cranston,Maurice [Penguin 1972], p.57


A Reaction

This is the principle at stake in discussion of the bombing of Germany in 1942-5. We all seem to agree with this principle, and are shocked by breaches of it, but I am not sure why. Destruction must be a fundamentally bad thing - a basic value.