PHIL/POLI/PWAD 272.002 – The Ethics of Peace, War, and Defense

Instructor: Nevin Johnson. This course meets MTWRF 9:45 – 11:15 a.m. in CW 105.

Civil war general William Tecumseh Sherman said “War is hell.” But if “war is hell,” can it ever be morally justified to initiate such a thing? And if so, when? And even when war has justifiably begun, are there any tactics that are morally off-limits during war? And once war is over, are there any moral responsibilities owed to the former enemy? These and other topics (e.g., pacifism, sovereignty, terrorism) will be discussed.