Justified? The Ethics of War

The language of morality, justice, and values has accompanied America to war since 1776. Today, the US Navy’s new recruiting slogan is “A Global Force for Good.” These ideas are not unique to American culture. Almost every ethical system has attempted to integrate war with morality, from Christian and Islamic just war theory to modern secular international law. Voltaire’s famous quip “All murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets” points at a central tension: if killing is wrong, how can war be just? Join us as we discuss this question, along with others, including:

Is warfare ever justified or moral?
When is attacking another nation morally acceptable?
What are the acceptable targets of violence in war?
Can we really deploy violence to achieve peace?
Should nations value the lives of their own citizens over those of others?

Join ALLIES, a civil-military relations discussion group, as we address these questions and more. Our partners include NIMEP (The New Institute for Middle East Peace), Tufts Freethought Society, the Protestant Students Association, Tufts Culture, Politics, and Religion (CPR) and more ethical and religious communities.