PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF WAR AND ETHICS

Abstract

There is a need to understand that the end product of all human interaction is cooperation and conflict. While cooperation is not problematic, conflict is and therefore requires rules to regulate its intensity so that they do not get out of hand. Conflict has existed from pre-ancient times till now and has brought about a cataclysmic transformation of human society. While the ethics of war presupposes that war is bad and should be avoided if it is feasible, it advocates that war is a lesser evil when confronted with other bad choices in certain situations.

Keywords: War, Cooperation, Conflict, Ethics, Philosophical, Christian, Muslim, Jihad, Holy War, Military.