When is it right to go to war? When is a war illegal? What are the rules of engagement? What should happen when a war is over? How should we view terrorism?

The Ethics of War and Peace is a fresh and contemporary introduction to one of the oldest but still most relevant ethical debates. It introduces students to contemporary Just War Theory in a stimulating and engaging way, perfect for those approaching the topic for the first time.

Helen Frowe explains the core issues in Just War Theory, and chapter by chapter examines the recent and ongoing philosophical? debates on:
theories of self defence and national defence Jus ad Bellum, Jus in Bello, and Jus post Bellum the moral status of combatants the principle of non-combatant immunity the nature of terrorism and the moral status of terrorists.

Each chapter concludes with a useful summary, discussion questions and suggestions for further reading, to aid student learning and revision. The Ethics of War and Peace is the ideal textbook for students studying philosophy, politics and international relations.

Reviews

'… admirably introduces newcomers to the complex debates of contemporary philosophers whose arguments do help shape the policy and practice of warfare today. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through graduate students; practitioners and general readers.' - CHOICE

'[A] real gem … Helen Frowe deserves to be praised for making philosophy accessible, relevant and exciting. Next time I teach a course on just war theory, this is the textbook I’ll be using.' - Political Studies Review

'The Ethics of War and Peace is an ideal introduction to debates in contemporary just war theory. It is accessible, lucid, and comprehensive in its coverage of the central issues. As one of the foremost writers on the ethics of war, Frowe here not only surveys and authoritatively explains the debates but also enters them, making original, insightful, and importributions of her own.' - Jeff McMahan, Rutgers University, USA

'A tour de force, which engages in a fascinating discussion of the complex moral and ethical dilemmas associated with just war theory. Especially noteworthy is the discussion of the morality of terrorism, particularly in view of the killing of Osama bin Laden. The book succeeds brilliantly in setting out the major issues involved in the contemporary debates about just war theory and in revising the orthodox school as represented by Michael Walzer.' - Robert Weiner, University of Massachusetts – Boston, USA

'This is a thorough introduction to contemporary philosophical debates relating to the ethics of war and peace that should appeal to philosophy students and may be adopted by courses in that field. It is well written and argued in a good philosophical style.' – Alex Bellamy, The University of Queensland, Australia

Contents

Introduction 1. Self-Defence 2. War and Self-Defence ...