infonet-economy

This article looks at the individual responsibility of rank-and-file soldiers in “just wars” and defends what might be called “subtle pacifism”. Subtle pacifism begins with an acknowledgement of the conflict between the jus in bello imperative of taking part in one's own community's just wars and the pacifist imperative of refraining from any homicidal enterprise. The moral dilemma faced by soldiers in any just war proves insoluble, as may be shown by arguments based on open debate, incommensurable descriptions and the most cogent interpretation of the case of the “naked soldier”. The article concludes that to minimize the risk of being trapped in this dilemma, we should work toward an international order that obviates the need for just wars. And to minimize the temptations of bad faith, we should oppose compulsory military service.