ipl-logo

Aquinas Criteria For A Just War Analysis

1569 Words7 Pages

Per St. Thomas Aquinas’ criteria for a “just war”, the Allies declaration of war against the Axis Powers, during World War II, is considered just because it fought against the actions of one tyrant’s decisions, sought to avenge the wrongful doings of the Axis powers, and held the rightful intentions of bringing about good. The primary Allied Powers of World War II consisted of the United States, Britain, China and the Soviet Union, while the Axis powers consisted primarily of Germany, Italy, and Japan (Dorn, Mandel, Cross 272). In St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica, Aquinas states that for a war to be considered just, three things are necessary. First, Aquinas addresses whether the sovereign has the authority to wage war. Second, Aquinas …show more content…

Thomas Aquinas’ criteria for a “just war”, the Allies declaration of war against the Axis Powers, during World War II, is considered just because it fought against the actions of one tyrant’s decisions, sought to avenge the wrongful doings of the Axis powers, and held the rightful intentions of bringing about good. Neibuhr’s theme of the “prophetic” showed his perception of the threat of fascism, both through his concern over the religious liberty of Christian and Jewish voices to bring prophetic judgments against totalitarian governments, and through his predictions of the threat that fascist regimes posed to the international order (Inboden 70). Niebuhr’s concern about Germany’s expansion was one that was felt world-wide, and prompted the people to act against the oppressor. If there is one thing that will unite people across the globe, no matter their differences, it is justice. People will fight for equality and for what is right. “People need to believe in a just world in which everyone gets what they deserve and deserves what they get…it is what helps people feel that their world has order” (Kim, Nagata, Akiyama 346). The belief in a just world is one that is universally understood, and is a belief that has been carried out throughout time and space. The advancement of good and the abolishment of evil is what will keep humanity morally right. “He beareth not the sword in vain: for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil"; so too, it is their business to have recourse to the sword of war in defending the common weal against external enemies. Hence it is said to those who are in authority (Ps. 81:4): "Rescue the poor: and deliver the needy out of the hand of the sinner" (St. Aquinas

Show More
Related
1033 Words | 5 Pages

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” You make a choice to fight the principalities of this world. You could choose to just avoid all wrongdoing, but you aren’t choosing virtue.

Read More
1258 Words | 6 Pages

Still today, the allies decision to not bomb the Nazi death camp Auschwitz is discussed and questioned. One side claims that it was a huge failure, as well as a show of how much the allies actually cared for the jews, while the other argues that it was a much more complex decision; and that ultimately, the war effort had to be diverted elsewhere in order to defeat the nazis. The many different arguments and pieces of evidence on both sides make one wonder exactly how such a difficult decision should be made, especially under such pressure, and what should be prioritised in war. In this circumstance, the allies chose to put their efforts elsewhere; which one side claims ended the war quicker, rather than committing the symbolic act of attacking

Read More
422 Words | 2 Pages

Christian Eason Ms.Chang Honors World History 12 April 2024 Fascism DBQ Although Fascism took power away from the people and gave it all to the government, it appealed to the Europeans because leaders promised a better future, provided military prowess after the First World War, and created a strong bond in the community. From 1919 to 1939, fascism was characterized by major principles and values that appealed to Europeans during this period. One of the key principles of fascism highlighted in the sources is the principle of fascism is the joy of war and heroism. Both Mussolini and a speech on the Nazi party emphasize the belief in the transformative power of war and the reverence for actions driven by courage rather than economic motives.

Read More
726 Words | 3 Pages

The issue at hand for the U.S 77th Congress (Historical Crisis Committee) to address is the extent to which the U.S should involve itself in the second greatest war that had erupted since the first global-scale war in 1914. As Joseph H. Ball, I solemnly swear to maintain and carry out my exclusive duties in benefitting America and its citizens to the best of my ability, as a senator of the U.S. 77th Congress. P1-Past: After starting to recover from the 1930s depression, Hitler and his alliances with Italy and Japan started another war, despite the Treaty of Versailles, restricting Germany from doing any harm. In fact, the Treaty of Versailles, which had strictly reduced Germany to poverty and massive debt, caused their retaliation with the

Read More
1193 Words | 5 Pages

He also wants the reader to better understand and contemplate how these moral decisions impacted the course of the war and postwar era. He asks the difficult moral questions that challenge the moral clarity and high ground that we tend to view the World War II with. Richard Overy begins Why the Allies

Read More
620 Words | 3 Pages

Isaiah 59:8 illustrates, "The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths. " Clearly, Scripture recognizes the existence of flaws of the behavior in man. Injustice comes in many forms. Racism, prejudice, false judgment, and stereotyping are all skewed perceptions. These distortions spill over into behaviors and human interactions, often resulting in the suffering of the innocent.

Read More
827 Words | 4 Pages

Ideologies of the Axis Powers Elizabeth Justice History 112: World History Since 1500 Professor David Karr April 24, 201 In the documents provided, there are various outstanding differences and similarities between Adolf Hitler and the various authors of the key principles of the major western societies and their both political and social ideals. Most of the similarities and differences that are evident in these documents give information on how these people related to their states.

Read More
3112 Words | 13 Pages

I. Introduction a. Many people believe World War II simply occurred when a power-hungry dictator named Adolf Hitler blitzed into Poland with one goal—to gather every Jew and ship them to concentration camps to be gassed. While that may be true, many people don’t realize Germany’s economy nosedived after the country was punished for the events in World War I. Also, the Great Depression in the United States affected Europe, including Germany. This became the perfect breeding ground for low-life, toxic dictators like Hitler to emerge, and starry-eyed citizens celebrated their dictator’s ascent while hoping for a bright future for their country.

Read More
207 Words | 1 Pages

“1939: Countdown to War” by Richard Overy is an account and analysis of the build-up to the Second World War. The analysis is centered around Poland, and Overy describes the events of Danzig as the reason for the declaration of war. The book looks at the final week leading up to the war, “the war of nerves”. However, Overy also outlines other causes for the start of the war, the main one being both sides believed they were in the right. The book holds interest by cutting back and forth between Germany, Poland, Britain and France, and includes references that are often from personal journals and private papers which gives an honest insight into the opinions of both important participants and public opinion.

Read More
1037 Words | 5 Pages

The most serious and most debated charge made by Hochhuth was that Pope Pius XII remained silent throughout the genocide of European Jews by the Nazis, and thus portrays Pope Pius XII of being a silent accomplice of the most horrific crime of the century (Conway,105). Through research I have come along many theories when looking and the Vatican’s role in the Holocaust, some argue the institution was successful in saving the lives of thousands of Jews, while on the other hand some go all the way to arguing that Pope Pius XII was in fact a pro Nazi and anti-Semitic. In recent years there have been various accusations towards the Vatican of either helping the Nazi regime or keeping silent and giving the green light to the Nazis. This research paper will look at the role of the Vatican during the holocaust from the Vatican’s perspective regarding its silence, as well as looking at how despite popular belief various actions were taken by Pope Pius XII in helping European Jews escape from

Read More
824 Words | 4 Pages

The Kingdom of God will bring upon justice when it is requested. God will answer all the calls of His people so that the Kingdom of God on earth will be virtuous. Countercultural/Heart of our faith/Secular World:

Read More
462 Words | 2 Pages

World War II World War II was a monumental event in history. This is because of the many things that led up to it. There is one question about the war that people still ask today. Was World War II justified? I believe that World War II was not justified because Britain and France were trying to be kind to Hitler, Japan shouldn’t have invaded Manchuria and China, and Germany shouldn’t have broken the Treaty Of Versailles.

Read More
114 Words | 1 Pages

Centuries later, Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-74) developed further the concept of just war. He asserted that three things were necessary for a war to be just: (1) The one declaring war must be a rightful sovereign, a legitimate leader; (2) The nation being attacked must deserve it because of some serious fault or injustice; and (3) The nation doing the attacking must have a good intention such as advancing good or stopping evil. More modern treatments of just war have included the ideas that war must be the last resort after all other options have failed, and the means of prosecuting the war must be proportional to the offence of the nation deserving attack.

Read More
1474 Words | 6 Pages

Although many people opposed Adolf Hitler when he attempted to rise to power in Germany, he had just enough supporters to begin his great conquest of an unattainable goal- to create a practically perfect society made up only of Aryans. Through this hideously fascist transformation of Germany, along with that of Italy and Japan, we are left to wonder, why fascism? As humans, we tend to look into more extreme solutions as our problems worsen. Whether it be poverty, sadness, or death, we fear pain and discomfort. When faced with these hardships, we become increasingly desperate for relief.

Read More
842 Words | 4 Pages

Just like in Jing-mei’s mother in Two Kinds, my parents have always told me I can be whatever I want to be, because this is America. But every day I ask myself, who am I? What is my cultural identity? Just by a glance I am like everyone else, a typical American teenager. A girl trying to make it through school and make my life as successful as possible, and maybe find myself along the way.

Read More

More about Aquinas Criteria For A Just War Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document