Vietnam War Just or Unjust Essay - 1044 Words

Matthew-Donald Toombs C D Block 12-5-12 Vietnam, Just or Unjust? Some ask the question, was the Vietnam War just? Some may say yes it was just,and others say that it is unjust. However,Certain people view justice as slippery concept. There are always ways to get aroud justice, and that is why people believe that justice is a slippety concept. Even Plato one of the brightest of his time could not figure out whether war was just or unjust. A Certain individual, by the name of Aquinas, also attempted to elaborate his view on the war through the document Summa Theologica. His reasons consisted of, First, the authority of the sovereign by whose command the war is to be waged(Article 1). The second reason being, a just cause is†¦show more content†¦The first reason being, the authority of the sovereign by whose command the war is to be waged(Article 1). It is important to note that the sovereign is the leader or overseer of a certain project. Aquinas believes that the people themeselves can not wage a private war on a country, but if the sov ereign say its okay, then they are allowed to wage a war. The second reason that Aquinas gave is that, a just cause is required, namely that those who are attacked, should be attacked because they deserve it on account of some fault(Article 1). Here, Aquinas attempts to explain that war is just as long as you have a cause to attack someone,and that they did something wrong to you or others around you. It’s the famous line â€Å"and eye for an eye.† An example of this reason would be, if someone were to get hit , it would be okay for them to go back and hit the person back. Although this may be bad like in school accoriding to Aquinas it is completely legal to attack someone if they attacked you. The third reason he gives is that, it is necessary that the belligerents should have a rightful intention, so that they intend the advancement of good, or the avoidance of evil(Article 1). Intending to demosntrate that it is okay to wage war, Aquinas says that it is always okay to wage war as long as the person you have rightful intentions. Later in the document of Summa Theologica, Aquinas goes over whether it is lawful to lay ambush onShow MoreRelatedWars Throughout Our History and Our World Essay1377 Words   |  6 Pages There have been ongoing wars throughout history. They all have the prevailing theme, which is, this just and unjust war, or is it just revenge? Although what is the technical legal term for a war? A war is defined as, ... an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political communities†¦,† (Just War Theory). Along with the statement of the definition of war, the Just War Theory also includes theories such as Jus ad bellum, Jus in Bello, and Jus post bellum. All of theseRead MoreWhen is war justified715 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿When is War Justified? 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