HRE20 – Called to Be Just
Miss McBride
Name: _________________
Date: __________________
Just War Theory
 St. Augustine, a 4th Century Doctor of the Church, set the bar very high. War
should be the last, not first resort of nations. Many of his views are said to have
influenced Thomas Aquinas, whose writings on the subject have come to be
known as the "Just War Theory." As the Coalition powers continue their war of
attrition with insurgents in Iraq, the Catholic Church and other religious
denominations are expressing strong reservations on the morality of these
actions.
 Just War Theory
 theory from Doctors of the Church
 St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas
 theory set out by Aquinas to make war and human dignity in war moral
necessities
Brainstorm
List as many virtuous reasons to start a war as possible.
Principles of Just War – (Hint pneumonic device JPPLL)
1. Just cause
2. Proportionality
3. Probability of success
HRE20 – Called to Be Just
Miss McBride
Name: _________________
Date: __________________
4. Legitimate authority
5. Last resort
Just War Theory Practice
Using the “Principles of a Just War”, identify the principle that best fits each scenario,
and then explain why.
1. A small group of Russians swore to attack Finland, even though the Russian
government ordered the Russians to withdraw.
Principle:
Explanation:
2. World War II was an ugly war. Many times the Nazis would take their Allied prisoners
of war and conduct inhumane experiments on them.
Principle:
Explanation:
3. The One Hundred Years War between England and France actually lasted one
hundred and thirteen years. Thousands died on both side with no clear victor at war’s
end.
Principle:
Explanation: