Just War theory
What Just War theory means in Religious Studies GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Just War theory
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Reference: AQA
The theory that using weapons of mass destruction fundamentally violates, as they cannot distinguish between combatants and innocent civilians and the destruction is never proportionate.
A tradition arguing that violence may be a necessary evil to defend the innocent, fight severe injustice, or restore peace under strict, limited conditions.
A framework, developed by Christian thinkers like St Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, to determine if going to war is morally acceptable.
A theory in which justice is a core condition, dictating that a war must only be fought to correct a grave public evil or injustice.
A set of criteria with which many religious believers accept self-defence as a justifiable reason for war.
Topics that use Just War theory
- Theme D: Religion, peace and conflict (AQA GCSE)
Related terms
- Christianity in Britain
- Comparative religion
- Contemporary British society
- Deterrence
- Diversity of belief
- Divine command
- Ethical theory
- Extremism
Using Just War theory in the exam
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