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Just and Unjust Wars

In: English and Literature

Submitted By chavez2345
Words 1761
Pages 8
Justification and Morality of War
Nicholas S. Chavez
University of Phoenix

Introduction
War has been around since the beginning of time; and the causes always differ from the last. Many questions arise in a society because of it, such as death, casualties due to involvement, the overall outcome projected, etc. The most highly debatable topic pertaining to any war that those causes play a factor in is whether it is justified or not. Sacrifices are made overseas as well as on the home front with the families of the men and women giving their lives for their country. In turn, those sacrifices can make those families believe their loss could have been for an unjust cause, making it difficult for war to be supported. On the other hand, there are sacrifices in a war taking place today, and have in the past that families and the ones fighting see as justifiable. To determine the justifiability of war, one must consider all sides and all factors, as well as their effect on the overall society.
Sacrifices Made When a loved one is deployed overseas to defend his/her country, all that can get them through, is knowing that their family is waiting for them and hoping and praying that nothing happens to them. The death of a loved one, which many fortunate people, don’t have to experience, is extremely hard on a family and delivers a crushing blow which can cause anyone to break down. When a family member passes away from being sent overseas, it can take a toll on how someone feels about a war and if they can say they honestly believe that it was worth it. Some families have had past relatives or themselves were in the military, and now their children are and understand the sacrifices made since they were in that position at one time. To John Kekes (2010), the violent actions of war are the actions of “individual human beings directed against other human beings.” These agents, however, are not acting “on their behalf, but as ordered by their commanders” who are executing a policy that the war implements (Kekes 2010). Many families understand that their sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, etc. are following orders and doing what needs to be done for their country so that others along with themselves can stay safe. Ultimately, death or survival are the two outcomes from going to war, but there are times when surviving and coming back home to everyday life isn’t the case for our veterans. Regardless the branch of military in this country, there are cases of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) that one sadly becomes a victim from going through the unimaginable while deployed. According to the National Institute of Health (2009), the tragic disability of PTSD “affects about 7.7 million American adults.” There are those that have left overseas with a healthy lifestyle and relationship with their loved ones, but return completely different and can’t control how they act around certain situations. With someone’s mind and emotions getting affected in a dramatic way, altercations, which take place with a person’s body physically, can be a life changer as well. Sadly, some of our brave and selfless troops deployed have to put themselves in the line of duty and protect each other at all costs that can come with repercussions. Explosives, enemy fire, and collisions along with many other factors can take a life quickly but also a person’s limb or eyesight that will be something that weighs heavy on someone’s life from then on. Due to all the unfortunate cases of troops losing their limbs or sight, our country has made it as easy and comfortable as they can to help them transition into everyday life again. Casualties Suffered by Every One Losing someone close to you or having them get injured during a war goes both ways in any battle. There are multiple casualties on both sides that can involve civilians, their homes, their businesses that they put their whole life into, and even their loved ones fighting. Countries that get invaded always have the highest damage rate because that’s where all the fighting is taking place. The enemy (in the invading country’s eyes) including civilians that are around the chaos may get hurt or killed during attacks even though most likely that was not the intent when the plans were drawn up. It isn't hard to believe or unexpected to have a group of a country's people on either side not accept the fact that innocent bystanders are getting killed in the middle of a brutal war. An invading country’s society could have those that do not support how close the innocent bystanders are to the fighting and think that there shouldn’t be any conflict happening in that area. Unfortunately, the place that the fight is conducted isn’t something that the country can decide on especially during an invasion where anything can happen anywhere. However, some families hate the fact that their relatives or someone close to them died when they had no part in the cause of war. Deep down they have to accept that they did not die without a purpose, whether it’s for their country or to be liberated from it. Targeted places during an invasion include enemy controlled facilities or military bases; but those targets are not always the only places destroyed. Many of the civilian businesses or even homes that are located nearby are sometimes demolished by explosives or those being attacked, hiding away in them and taking them over. A persons’ business that supplies the sole means for a family to thrive, can change a mind greatly if it gets destroyed or taken over. That event can definitely make someone hate everything about the war and who is invading. Knowing that someone would have to give up what they have put hard work and endless hours into for their family and to provide can quickly take away their support. When our military destroys something that belongs to another country, it can range from a building to a goat, and they will pay it entirely because they know it's their fault for why it's gone. Overall Projected Outcome of War Different countries all have different goals for their country which can require different methods to achieve them. With a country wanting a particular thing or wanting to aid others, some of the citizens will not support the projected outcome of involvement because of the cost and not understanding the reason on why they need to. There will always be “religious war” in the world which may not always involve physical violence, but it has before, solely for the conversion of a country or group of people. When a society doesn’t necessarily follow or practice the same faith as their country does as a whole (Iran, Israel, etc.), there will be those that don’t agree with the reasoning behind the fight. When a country thrives and grows larger and more complexly organized, it becomes “progressively easier for warfare to be considered irrational”, based on “flawed judgments” at the leadership level. This is what causes the effect of debates to sprout over those decisions made (Leblanc, 2003). There are some countries that a majority of their people agree and insist that all persons in another country should practice the same religion as them, even if that country is forced. Humanitarian efforts around the globe along with assisting allies during a crisis involving a neighboring or an invading country does not always achieve 100% support from its people. The decision on aiding another country can raise many questions and statements like, “Why?” or “Let them deal with their problems.” The people of America know that this country can't sit and watch while another country is hurting, so a lot approve and support the involvement in aiding another since that is a norm for our people. Michael Walzer (1977) had noted, when there is a country’s government slaughtering their own people and a “foreign state or coalition of states” sends an army across the border to “stop the killing.” That group of people, at that point in time, are taking on the responsibility of “replacing the government” or, at least, beginning the process of “replacement” (Walzer, 1977). When a country invades another, there will most likely be a process of helping out with resolving the issues with the command of that country. That may imply that someone from the overpowering country will need to stay to help steer them in the right direction. Conclusion Ultimately, the outlook over if a war can be deemed justifiable differs from person to person. As stated prior, there are numerous causes for war and many different outcomes from it that produce different opinions for judging if it was right that a war starting was the appropriate answer to a problem. Death, no matter if it’s a stranger or your closest relative, will hurt on some level and have someone thinking. Collateral damage is done to a country (usually the one getting invaded), and is not something that a lot of people can just put in the back of their mind and not think about. A loss is a loss, and if there is some way to avoid it, it should be. The overall goal of any conflict, will have different opinions simply because there are those that think of an outcome that is best for everyone instead of some. With that, someone else may think the outcome can damage or hinder instead, which may change the support group. Regardless of what view or standpoint someone is at with their decision on if war is justifiable, war will be around for as long as there is a human race to wage it.

References
Kekes, John. “War.” University of Phoenix (Online). Volume 85, Issue 2. Pp. 201-218. April 2010. In-text reference: John Kekes (2010)
Moseley, Alexander, (2009). Just War Theory. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (Online). alex@classical-foundations.com In-text reference: (Moseley 2009)
Goppel, Anna. “Ideen and Argumente: Killing Terrorists: A Moral and Legal Analysis.” University of Phoenix (Online). Pp. 356 January 2013. In-text reference: (Goppel 2013)
LeBlanc, Steven A., Constant Battles, (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2003) In-text reference: (LeBlanc, 2003)
National Institute of Health. PTSD: A Growing Epidemic. Winter 2009 Issue: Volume 4 Number 1 Pages 10-14. In-text reference: National Institutes of Health (2009)
Walzer, William M. (1977) Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument with Historical Illustrations In-text reference: (Walzer 1977)
William Walzer (1977)

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