The
Nuclear Dilemma and the Just War TraditionThe
Nuclear Dilemma and the Just War TraditionEdited by William V. O'Brien and John Langan, S.J.
(Lexington, Mass.: Lexington Books, 1986)
This book can be ordered from the Woodstock Theological Center.
From cover:
When we contemplate the dreadful possibilities of nuclear war, we are compelled to ask: Can we still justify war at all? To many, nuclear weapons have rendered irrelevant all previous judgements in the Western tradition about war, and have made the "just war" a contradiction in terms. In this book, those who stand in the tradition of the just war bring a new voice into the debate over nuclear deterrence and the use of nuclear weapons.
Inspired by the U.S. Catholic bishop's pastoral letter of 1983 and the increasing public concern over the nuclear threat, eminent political scientists, philosophers, and theologians address the dilemma of just wars in the nuclear age. They argue that traditional moral and political principles must be employed in any coherent discussion of international conflict. The contributors share a common conviction about the importance of defending democracies and a common concern about the moral character of the means of this defense. Furthermore, they contend, only cooperation among policymakers, technical and military specialists, and those concerned with the moral and religious dimensions of the nuclear dilemma will lead to effective and morally acceptable policies.
The scope of the book is very broad. Going beyond abstract theoretical questions, the discussion delves into the moral considerations surrounding recent developments in warfighting capabilities. Fresh light is shed on the numerous paradoxes and dangers created by nuclear weapons today. Other topics include the effects of nuclear weapons on the evaluation of modern nonnuclear conflicts and the roles and responsibilities of statesmen and citizens in the pursuit of peace. This is a book that will inspire discussions to help guide public affairs in a just and prudent way.
William V. O'Brien is a professor of government at Georgetown University. John Langan, S.J., is Senior Research Fellow at Woodstock Theological Center, Georgetown University.
