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

Instructor: Conner Schultz. This course meets MTWRF 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in DA 301 via in-person (IP) instruction.

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 or strategies that are morally off-limits during war? And once war is over, are there any moral responsibilities owed to the former enemy? What moral principles govern the post-war prosecution of war crimes? These and other special topics (e.g., pacifism, sovereignty, terrorism) will be addressed.