Overview

Catholic pacifists blame the just war tradition of their Church. That tradition, they say, can be invoked to justify any war, and so it must be jettisoned. This book argues that the problem is not the just war tradition but the unjust war tradition. Ambitious rulers start wars that cannot be justified, and yet warriors continue to fight them. The problem is the belief that warriors do not hold any responsibility for judging the justice of the wars they are ordered to fight. However unjust, a command renders any war ""just"" for the obedient warrior. This book argues that selective conscientious objection, the right and duty to refuse to fight unjust wars, is the solution. Strengthening the just war tradition depends on a heightened role for the personal conscience of the warrior. That in turn depends on a heightened role for the Church in forming and supporting consciences and judging the justice of particular wars. As Saint Augustine wrote, ""The wise man will wage just wars. . . . For, unless the wars were just, he would not have to wage them, and in such circumstances he would not be involved in war at all.""

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9781532686665

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Bergman argues that preventing unjust wars requires more people with the moral strength to resist the lure of power and illusory success that war often promises. He presents social, philosophical, and religious grounds for the right to selective conscientious objection to unjust wars, and he shows the importance of communities that nurture those with the depth needed to say no. A valuable and timely book. Read it. --David Hollenbach, SJ, Georgetown University Bergman's fine book addresses how to prevent unjust war by issuing three challenges: 1) to the pacifist tradition and its absolute presumption against any just use of violent force; 2) to the just war tradition and its historical deference to political authority rather than the conscience of the individual; and 3) to the Catholic Church as a moral educator forming consciences. His exploration of these challenges will leave readers better informed citizens and wiser disciples. --Kenneth R. Himes, OFM, Boston College Finally, with Roger Bergman's nuanced and careful treatment of the problem of unjust war, we have an accessible and academic resource for Catholics and others that integrates a serious account of the just war tradition and a sympathetic appreciation of pacifism and nonviolence. Although not the final word, of course, this book offers an inclusive and constructive way forward for just peacemakers and peacebuilders. --Tobias Winright, Saint Louis University Preventing Unjust War is excellent--highly readable and aimed right at the great challenge today for Catholicism and war: how to shape a culture where citizens and citizen-soldiers are able to refuse participation in an unjust war. I've taught 'Ethics of War and Peace' for years and this text will be a great addition to my class. --David DeCosse, Santa Clara University This scholarly book with deep personal roots puts the question of the formation of conscience front and center. Bergman made a name for himself a decade ago with a book on Catholic social learning--which the documents of Catholic social teaching blithely ignore. With this new book, he challenges Catholic educators to breathe life into the teaching of selective conscientious objection to war. In brief, we must consider: How was someone like Franz Jagerstatter possible? --Bernard G. Prusak, King's College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Author Information

Roger Bergman is Professor Emeritus of Cultural & Social Studies at Creighton University, where he founded (1995) and directed the Justice & Peace Studies Program until his retirement in 2017. For two decades he taught Christian Ethics of War & Peace and, for senior ROTC cadets, a Morality of War Seminar. He is the author of Catholic Social Learning: Educating the Faith That Does Justice (2011).

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