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This book argues that the moral quality of an act comes from the
agent's inner states. By arguing for the indispensable relevance of
intention in the moral evaluation of acts, the book moves against a
mainstream, 'objective' approach in normative ethics.
Who exactly are the Germans? From which ancestor of Noah do they
descend? Might their roots be found in the ancient Middle East?
Does the Bible - God's precious Word - have anything to say with
regard to the very talented German peoples and their ancient roots?
Or does God ignore major nations such as Germany in His Word? These
fascinating and highly talented people have been central to world
history. Notice a chilling comment in an article on Russia by Peter
Zeihan: ..". history really does run in cycles. Take Europe for
example. European history is a chronicle of the rise and fall of
its geographic center. As Germany rises, the powers on its
periphery buckle under its strength and are forced to pool
resources in order to beat back Berlin. As Germany falters, the
power vacuum at the middle of the Continent allows the countries on
Germany's borders to rise in strength and become major powers
themselves. Since the formation of the first "Germany" in 800, this
cycle has set the tempo and tenor of European affairs. A strong
Germany means consolidation followed by a catastrophic war; a weak
Germany creates a multilateral concert of powers and multistate
competition (often involving war, but not on nearly as large a
scale). For Europe this cycle of German rise and fall has run its
course three times -- the Holy Roman Empire, Imperial Germany, Nazi
Germany -- and is only now entering its fourth iteration with the
reunified Germany."
Iraq: The Moral Reckoning applies classic just war theory to the
U.S. decision to go to war in 2003. That theory, which evolved over
several millennia, is a simple, profound tool for evaluating the
rightness and wisdom of starting a war. The Bush administration and
its supporters referred directly and indirectly to the theory in
making a pro-war case to the world. The theory provides three core
moral criteria for a just war: sovereign authority, just cause, and
right intention (which includes an aim of peace). It adds three
practical criteria: proportionality of ends, last resort, and
reasonable chance of success. For a just war, each criterion should
be substantially met. Since war is destructive and each country is
presumed to have the right to live in peace, the evidence in favor
of war must be clearly stronger than evidence against it. For each
criterion, Iraq: The Moral Reckoning painstakingly weighs Bush
administration statements, or those of its supporters, against
evidence available at the time. A wide range of viewpoints and
evidence is considered, and contrary arguments are refuted. One
full chapter is given to neoconservative arguments on just war
theory and its application from prominent war supporters. Each
criterion, except sovereign authority, is shown not to have been
met. The book concludes with a discussion of the implications of an
unjust war for the United States and the world. The intensive
weighing of each criterion against the facts and the balanced
approach make the book unique. By demonstrating a comprehensive
application of the theory to one war, it not only sets a new
standard for evaluating the 2003 Iraq war, but also shows how
present and future wars can be better evaluated in moral and
practical terms, based on knowledge available at the time.
Iraq: The Moral Reckoning applies classic just war theory to the
U.S. decision to go to war in 2003. That theory, which evolved over
several millennia, is a simple, profound tool for evaluating the
rightness and wisdom of starting a war. The Bush administration and
its supporters referred directly and indirectly to the theory in
making a pro-war case to the world. The theory provides three core
moral criteria for a just war: sovereign authority, just cause, and
right intention (which includes an aim of peace). It adds three
practical criteria: proportionality of ends, last resort, and
reasonable chance of success. For a just war, each criterion should
be substantially met. Since war is destructive and each country is
presumed to have the right to live in peace, the evidence in favor
of war must be clearly stronger than evidence against it. For each
criterion, Iraq: The Moral Reckoning painstakingly weighs Bush
administration statements, or those of its supporters, against
evidence available at the time. A wide range of viewpoints and
evidence is considered, and contrary arguments are refuted. One
full chapter is given to neoconservative arguments on just war
theory and its application from prominent war supporters. Each
criterion, except sovereign authority, is shown not to have been
met. The book concludes with a discussion of the implications of an
unjust war for the United States and the world. The intensive
weighing of each criterion against the facts and the balanced
approach make the book unique. By demonstrating a comprehensive
application of the theory to one war, it not only sets a new
standard for evaluating the 2003 Iraq war, but also shows how
present and future wars can be better evaluated in moral and
practical terms, based on knowledge available at the time.
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