Single Idea 23595

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / a. Just wars]

Full Idea

The most serious reason why a war might be unjustified is that it lacks any justifying aim at all.

Gist of Idea

The worst unjustified wars have no aim at all

Source

Jeff McMahan (Killing in War [2009], 1.1)

Book Reference

McMahan,Jeff: 'Killing in War' [OUP 2009], p.6


A Reaction

It seems that Louis XIV invaded the Netherlands in around 1674 purely to enhance his own glory. That strikes me as worse. I supposed Ghenghis Khan invaded places simply because he enjoyed fighting.