Past Events

Preserved for millennia in the Western religious and philosophical traditions is a perspective called “just war” thinking. This “Dine and Dialogue” discussion will offer the view that the details of that tradition provide easily accessible tools for assessing the use of force in conflict situations (and this includes nonviolent uses of force). “Just war” does not directly settle any particular conflict, but provides, rather, a model for framing all kinds of discussions where at stake are issues of moral importance. That model is used widely in democratic societies where dialogue is valued and moral disagreements on issues like war are common. The presenter will offer for consideration the view that as a critical tool, “just war” thinking actually becomes a way of defending practical pacifism.