Thursday, March 21, 2019

What questions could you ask to determine whether a war was just?


Questions that can’t be easily categorized:
Is violence itself unethical?
Whose perspective are we looking from?
Who are the “good guys” and why are they good? Who are the “bad guys” and why are they bad?

What was the cause of the war? (includes the history and motivations)
Were there other options?
Were non-violent solutions unreasonable? Impractical?
Could the outcomes be achieved without war?
Is the war fought to reach peace? Can a solution actually be reached through war?
Were there other options than war?
Could the problem have been solved earlier or more quickly?
What was the historical background?
Have there been negotiations before the war?

Who started the war? Why?
Who initiated the fight?
What is being fought for?
What was each side fighting for?
What was the purpose of the war?
What are the benefits of going to war?
Who decided who / whether to fight? The people or the powerful?
What was the public opinion about the war?
Is national security on the line?
Is something being taken by one side or the other?

Was it a war without general morals?
Does it protect the innocent?
Was there a fair chance for both sides to win?
Was money involved?
Is the “greater good” a good for all or just you?
Does it ensure the enforcement of basic human rights?
Did the war come out of nowhere? Was it a surprise?

How was the war fought?
How many civilians died and why?
Did the end justify the means?
Were the sacrifices worth the outcome?
How the war affect other countries?
Was there a fair chance for both sides to win?
Does it protect the innocent?
Who suffered the most? Politicians, soldiers, civilians?
What was the public opinion about the war?
Was there a draft? Are people who aren’t interested in the cause forced to fight?
Does it ensure the enforcement of basic human rights?
Who decided who / whether to fight? The people or the powerful?
Were there rules? Were they followed?
Is the public opinion being heard?
Are innocents being killed?
Are the soldiers – not just the leaders – willing to fight for the cause?
What means of attack were used?
Was it a war without general morals?

What was the impact of the war (on leaders, soldiers, civilians, other nations, animals, the environment)?
How many civilians died and why?
How the war affect other countries?
Does it protect the innocent?
Who suffered the most? Politicians, soldiers, civilians?
How did we treat the soldiers (during and after the war)?
Was money involved?
What was the public opinion about the war?
Who wins? The big guys or the little guys?
How was it fought?
Was there a draft?
Does it ensure the enforcement of basic human rights?
Who decided who / whether to fight? The people or the powerful?
Are people who aren’t interested in the cause forced to fight?
Is the public opinion being heard?
How does this affect the warring countries internationally?
Are innocents being killed?
What are the benefits of going to war?
Are the soldiers – not just the leaders – willing to fight for the cause?
Is something being taken by one side or the other?
How many lives are lost?

What was the outcome / aftermath?
Did the end justify the means?
Did it improve the world?
Were the sacrifices worth the outcome?
How the war affect other countries?
Who ended it? How?
Did it protect the innocent?
Who suffered the most? Politicians, soldiers, civilians?
Was money involved?
Could the outcomes have been achieved without war?
What was the public opinion about the war?
Who won? The big guys or the little guys?
Was the “greater good” a good for all or just one party?
Did it ensure the enforcement of basic human rights?
How merciful were the victors to the vanquished?
What were the benefits of the war?
Was the war fought to reach peace?
How did this affect the warring countries internationally?
What were the benefits of going to war?
Is something taken by one side or the other?
Was national security on the line?
What was each side left with after the war?

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