The Russo-Ukrainian conflict and the ethics of war of Augustine and Aquinas
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5007/1677-2954.2025.e108647Keywords:
Russo-Ukrainian War, Just War, Augustine, AquinasAbstract
This article analyzes the justice of the Russo-Ukrainian War from the views of just war theorists Augustine and Aquinas. Augustine of Hippo, in his war ethics, believed that war is both a consequence of sin and a potential remedy. Aquinas examined the subject of war ethics, emphasizing the importance of human nature and the common good. Some scholars argue that their theory of just war has become inadequate due to the emergence of nuclear weapons, while others continue to apply their framework to contemporary issues, including drone warfare. In this article, we will explore how Augustine and Aquinas might have viewed the Russo-Ukrainian War, considering the criteria for just war that they accepted, as well as those that emerged later. Furthermore, we will examine the relevance of nuclear arsenals, drones, and NATO in evaluating the ethics of war in the works of Augustine and Aquinas.
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