Ethics, Force, and Power: On the Political Preconditions of Just War

Abstract Benbaji and Statman’s contractarian ethics of war offers a powerful new philosophical defence orthodox conclusions against revisionist criticism. I present two-pronged argument in reply. First, contractarianism yields what call ‘decent theory,’ theory which between decent states is paradigmatic. argue, by contrast, that should treat wars indecent as paradigmatic, resulting Rawlsian alternative issues an closer to revisionism. The second prong argues the symmetrical international distribution power required throws into doubt viability instrument for securing just ends. But argue there very important lesson take from analysis here. Even if arguably weakened its political assumptions, revisionists frequently fail pay any attention vagaries their effects shaping outcomes different accounts ethics. therefore general ought develop with sufficient versatility respond shifts variations military power. In particular, philosophers must consider morally defensible ways can challenge rising powers.