Ethics of War and the Force of Law: A Modern Just War Theory

This book provides a critical overview of the ethics of war and offers a modern just war theory that recognizes the moral force of widely accepted law. It challenges traditionalist, Walzerian, and revisionist approaches and emphasizes the importance of other justifications beyond self-defense. It also draws on criminal law and legal scholarship, rejecting moral fundamentalism and arguing that widely accepted laws and conventions of war are partly constitutive of the moral rules that apply in a conflict.

Format: Hardback
Length: 322 pages
Publication date: 26 November 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Ethics of War and the Force of Law is a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the current debate on the ethics of war, as well as a modern just war theory that provides practical guidance for policymakers and military leaders. The book offers a critical overview of the various approaches to the ethics of war, including traditionalist, Walzerian, and revisionist perspectives, and seeks to clarify and rectify widespread misinterpretations of these competing views.

Uwe Steinhoff's approach to just war theory is unique in that it combines a traditional analysis of self-defense with an emphasis on other justifications commonly referred to as the lesser evil. By drawing on criminal law and legal scholarship, which have been largely ignored by just war theorists, Steinhoff offers a fresh perspective on the ethics of war.

One of the key arguments in The Ethics of War and the Force of Law is that widely accepted laws and conventions of war are partly constitutive of the moral rules that apply in a conflict. Steinhoff rejects the notion of moral fundamentalism, which holds that the laws and customs of war must simply follow an immutable morality. Instead, he argues that these laws and conventions are dynamic and can evolve to reflect changing circumstances and ethical considerations.

The book also explores the role of international law in shaping the ethics of war. Steinhoff argues that international law plays a crucial role in defining the limits and conditions of warfare, and that violations of these laws can constitute war crimes. He emphasizes the importance of adherence to international law and the need for robust international institutions to enforce these rules.

The Ethics of War and the Force of Law is a valuable resource for scholars and advanced students working in just war theory, applied ethics, political philosophy, political theory, philosophy of law, and criminal and military law. The book offers a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the ethical challenges posed by war, and provides practical guidance for policymakers and military leaders seeking to navigate these complex and challenging dilemmas.

Weight: 618g
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367621421