Saint Augustine's Theory of Just War

As the Roman Empire continued to decline, two different problems arose that combined to form some of the most profound philosophical questions. One of the dilemmas was that Rome was under constant military threat from a variety of tribes, from both the north and east. The second difficultly arose when the people within the empire, who dedicated themselves to the new official religion of Christianity, found themselves in a position of having no direction as to what military roles their faith would tolerate. It was the death of the apostles that put them into this position, as they left no revelation in the form of writings. This presents the main question that was formulated, and is also the center of Saint Augustine's theory of just war which is, "Can a Christian show their dedication towards military duty while still holding a guilt free conscience towards God?" Saint Augustine provides a deep insight when dealing with this issue that is truly inspirational.

It was during the fifth century that Saint Augustine of Hippo longed to provide an answer to this question. The way he approached the situation later became the basis for his theory of just war, which has had, and still continues to hold an extremely important philosophical influence concerning military matters. It is vitally important to recognize Augustine’s basis for thought and also to decisively consider this crucial principle.

The just war theory is one of the most significant perspectives on both war and peace. There are six stages that are to be performed within this, the first three which include a just cause, right intentions, correct power, and widespread declaration. Within just cause, it states that you can only proclaim war for the right reason. This usually extends to self-defense from an outside attack or the protection of others from forms of brutality that might be issued upon them. The rights reason declares that having an accurate reason is not enough to start a war. "The actual motivation behind the resort to war must also be morally appropriate. Ulterior motives, such as power, land grab, or irrational motives, such as revenge, or ethnic hatred, are ruled out."(Banner, 75 ) A third step in this proclamation is that you may only go to war if the proper choice has been ruled out by authority figures. They then announce it to the public, so that both the citizens and the enemies of the state are aware. The states who fail to abide by these standards cannot legitimately go to war.

The last three standards that comprise the just war theory are final alternative, the chance of being successful, and reasonable proportions. When the final resort is concerned, a state must resort to war only if all other peaceful alternatives cannot be expressed or applied in order to solve the conflict. Another degree that it has to pass is the stage of diplomatic cooperation, as they want to be completely sure that serious war is only announced when it is the only reasonable way left. In discussing the chance of being successful, it is not possible to enter a state of war if seeing ahead of time that it will have no significant impact. The overall goal here is to eliminate violence of the masses, which would be useless. Within the final step of reasonable proportions, a state has to figure out the widespread good that will come from initiating war, against the general iniquity that has the potential of resulting. "The universal must be stressed, since often in war states only tally their own expected benefits and costs, radically discounting those accruing to the enemy and to any innocent third parties."(Mattox, 63) In other words, war is only worth declaring if it worth the costs may the war action proceed.

As demonstrated, Saint Augustine's idea of just war is a very demanding theory, as all six of the principles must be articulated in order for war to be pronounced. It is vital to note that the first three conditions, known as the first-principle requirements, that imply for war to be just, certain core duties must be dishonored, which includes the responsibility not to express aggression. Saint Augustine ultimately came to the conclusion that for war to be declared, we must have both the proper authority and motives. Also that if we suffice to the obligation that comes with both declaring war, and the consequences that follow.

Mattox, John M. St. Augustine's Theory of Just War. United States: Worth Publishers, 2007.


Banner, William A. The Path of Saint Augustine. New York: Wiley Publishing, Inc. 2005