PHIL/POLI/PWAD 272.001 – The Ethics of Peace, War, and Defense

Instructor: Kyle Cessna. This course meets MWF 9:05 – 9:55 a.m. in PH 328.

War, by its very nature, seems to involve transgressing fundamental moral convictions. This course investigates the nature of and justification for those transgressions. We’ll explore these questions through the philosophical lens, using concepts like autonomy, responsibility, agency, and the right to self-defense. Our guiding questions include: Is war ever permissible? What, if anything, distinguishes terrorism from war? Is military intervention justified if it is done in the name of human rights? What are our duties towards refugees? We will also consider what feminist and post-colonial philosophers have to say about the moral status of war and its participants.

Have registration questions? Our PPE Administrators can help! Please email them at ppeprogram@unc.edu for assistance.