Utilitarianism and the Ethics of War
Published on 15. February 2016
196 pages
978-1-135-96913-4 (ISBN)
Description
This book offers a detailed utilitarian analysis of the ethical issues involved in war.
Utilitarianism and the Ethics of War addresses the two basic ethical questions posed by war: when, if ever, are we morally justified in waging war, and if recourse to arms is warranted, how are we permitted to fight the wars we wage? In addition, it deals with the challenge that realism and relativism raise for the ethical discussion of war, and with the duties of military personnel and the moral challenges they can face. In tackling these matters, the book covers a wide range of topics-from pacifism to armed humanitarian intervention, from the right of national defense to pre-emptive or preventive war, from civilian immunity to the tenets of just war theory and the moral underpinnings of the rules of war. But, what is distinctive about this book is that it provides a consistent and thorough-going utilitarian or consequentialist treatment of the fundamental normative issues that war occasions. Although it goes against the tide of recent work in the field, a utilitarian approach to the ethics of war illuminates old questions in new ways by showing how a concern for well-being and the consequences of our actions and policies shape the moral constraints to which states and other actors must adhere.
This book will be of much interest to students of the ethics of war, just war theory, moral philosophy, war and conflict studies and IR.
Utilitarianism and the Ethics of War addresses the two basic ethical questions posed by war: when, if ever, are we morally justified in waging war, and if recourse to arms is warranted, how are we permitted to fight the wars we wage? In addition, it deals with the challenge that realism and relativism raise for the ethical discussion of war, and with the duties of military personnel and the moral challenges they can face. In tackling these matters, the book covers a wide range of topics-from pacifism to armed humanitarian intervention, from the right of national defense to pre-emptive or preventive war, from civilian immunity to the tenets of just war theory and the moral underpinnings of the rules of war. But, what is distinctive about this book is that it provides a consistent and thorough-going utilitarian or consequentialist treatment of the fundamental normative issues that war occasions. Although it goes against the tide of recent work in the field, a utilitarian approach to the ethics of war illuminates old questions in new ways by showing how a concern for well-being and the consequences of our actions and policies shape the moral constraints to which states and other actors must adhere.
This book will be of much interest to students of the ethics of war, just war theory, moral philosophy, war and conflict studies and IR.
Reviews / Votes
'William H. Shaw's Utilitarianism and the Ethics of War is a terrific book that will enlighten readers interested in moral problems about warfare as well as friends and foes of utilitarian moral theory.' -- Stephen Nathanson, Emeritus Professor, Northeastern University, USA'In this important new work, Professor Shaw reflects not simply upon what states and their leaders actually consider or how they actually reason when declaring and conducting armed conflict, he offers convincing arguments regarding what they are also obliged to consider, and how they ought to reason about war and its consequences in terms of its overall impact on the welfare of their citizens and of society at large. While such utilitarian considerations traditionally infuse "just war" reasoning unsystematically, Shaw's is the first explicitly systematic treatment by an eminent utilitarian moral philosopher of just exactly how considerations of well-being and the common good offer the most useful and advantageous analysis of war's likely impact and permissibility. This is a significant revision and clarification of just war reasoning generally that ought to be read by every serious scholar or student of political theory, international relations, or moral philosophy.' -- George Lucas, Emeritus Professor, U.S. Naval Academy
'William Shaw provides a cogent, compelling, and comprehensive account of the ethics of war, arguing persuasively that utilitarianism provides the most satisfactory basis for answering questions both about the justification of going to war, and about the ethical limits of conduct in war. This book provides a much-needed counterpoint to the deontological approaches that dominate contemporary discussion of military ethics.' -- Alastair Norcross, University of Colorado, USA
'Shaw's Utilitarianism and the Ethics of War masterfully develops utilitarian prescriptions about when wars should be fought and about what are the rules that commanders and lower-ranked military personnel should follow in wars. Especially impressive are Shaw's explanations of how utilitarianism underwrites the principles of just war theory. This is a very wise book.' -- Brad Hooker, University of Reading, UK
'Shaw's book deserves praise for several reasons. It is reader-friendly, well researched, organized, and argued. Most importantly it reminds us that although utilitarianism has been assassinated repeatedly both recently and in the past, miraculously, it is still alive and well.' -- Nick Fotion, Emory University, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews
'The volume is clear, carefully argued, and thorough in its discussion of the literature on the morality of war.' Summing Up: Highly recommended.' -- Choice, J. H. Spence, Adrian College (CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title for 2017)
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Reflowable
File size
0,93 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-135-96913-4 (9781135969134)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
02/2016
1st Edition
Routledge
€205.30
Shipment within 15-20 days
William Shaw
Utilitarianism and the Ethics of War
Book
02/2016
1st Edition
Routledge
€69.00
Shipment within 10-20 days
Person
William H. Shaw is Professor of Philosophy at San Jose State, USA. He is the author/editor of numerous books.
Content
Preface 1. Beyond Realism and Relativism 2. Understanding Utilitarianism 3. When Is It Right to Fight? 4. Utilitarianism, Pacifism, and Just War Theory 5. National Defense and its Limits 6. The Rules of War 7. Combatants and Noncombatants 8. Ethics and the Profession of Arms Conclusion
