“Once you know you can feel empathy and passion for people who are suffering, it’s time to reflect and think about other conflicts and our response,” according to Dr. Valerie Morkevičius, author of Realist Ethics and an associate professor of Political Science from Colgate University. Morkevičius explores the role of moral injury and how those feelings of empathy are foundational to the evolution of just war frameworks rooted in early Christianity.
Morkevičius describes the origin of just war In the Christian tradition that evolved by the 13th century – reviewing the six core principles, how they evolved, and why. From the importance of discouraging individual actions in a feudal society to the slippery idea of righting wrongs. Morkevičius unpacks how each principle applies to the current conflict from moral injury to the collateral damage or costs caused by modern hybrid warfare.
Morkevičius reviews how the similarities of just war principles suggest that the religious practices were grounded in real politics. She draws out differences and lessons to be learned in thinking about war and conflict today.
Realist Ethics: Just War Traditions as Power Politics
Cambridge University Press
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