In this valley of tears war appears to be, alas, almost inescapable for the human community. The 20th century saw some of the most horrific wars known to human history. Moreover, war remains very much in the news and in public consciousness, and tends to draw a wide range of reactions: from protest to spirited defense and much more. Our aim in this reading group is not to opine about this or that war, but to step back and engage in philosophical reflection about the ethics of war. We’ll explore questions such as: Can war be just? When, if ever, is war justified? On what basis? How should we treat civilians? And more. We’ll explore thinkers both historical and contemporary, such as Cicero, Augustine, Aquinas, Elizabeth Anscombe, and Thomas Nagel.
Led by Dr. Victor Saenz
Email jprather@houstoninstitute.org, if interested.
