What is a Just War?

Unfortunately, I don’t believe that I currently possess the necessary objectivity to answer this question. My choice of occupation at present, temporary though it is, would seemingly negate my ability to remedy this conundrum for the duration. Nevertheless, I do wish to learn more about the subject at hand.

Admittedly, my experience with this topic is limited despite my literary, theological and military leanings. I do recall reading passages from Augustine and Aquinas, but those were largely excerpts from reading assignments in college. Only now am I actually taking the time to try working through the complete (if abridged) City of God as I find the time – more often than not during field exercises.

At the same time, the magazine First Things has just placed on their website an article that I first read in their print magazine a couple of months ago on this specific issue. It presents a very interesting, balanced, relevant view on the subject and makes for fascinating reading. At the moment, I’m particularly interested in following up on some of the (to me) lesser known thinkers quoted, cited and referenced in the article. If anyone can suggest key works on or featuring Just War theory by William Ames, Hugo Grotius, or more recently Paul Ramsey and Michael Walzer, I’d appreciate it. (I realize the irony involved in this question since I already linked to amazon.com, but humor me – I like personal recommendations)

Further Updates

Well, those photos I published earlier were from our recent training exercise near Harrisburg, PA -- as referenced in my very first post. I may stick a few more up in the next few days after I check up on some stuff.

I may try posting a little movie review later this week. We'll see. It's taking me longer than I would have liked to get this site up the way I like it.

I also have some older photos from when I was in Arizona last year for AIT. I'll stick some of them up later this week.

Quote of the Week.

Prof. Farnsworth: "Hey, unless this is a nude love-in, get the hell off my property!"
Hippie: "You can't own property man."
Prof. Farnsworth: "I can, but that's because I'm not a penniless hippie."

-- Futurama episode "The Problem with Popplers"