The Ethics of War: Self-Defense, Humanitarian Intervention, Terrorism and Law

Examines ethical questions of war: 1) when are you justified in taking up arms and killing others?; 2) what limits, if any, does morality place on how wars can be prosecuted?; 3) what is required of combatants in the aftermath of conflict?; 4) how do the existence of international laws and institutions affect our answers to these questions? Will also consider the ethical dilemmas raised by the following issues: preemptive invasions, terrorism, cyber and nuclear weapons, and unmanned drones. Readings include classic and modern works of just war theory.