War: Essays in Political Philosophy

by Larry May (Editor)

Overview

War has been a key topic of speculation and theorizing ever since the invention of philosophy in classical antiquity. This anthology brings together the work of distinguished contemporary political philosophers and theorists who address the leading normative and conceptual issues concerning war. The book is divided into three parts: initiating war, waging war, and ending war. The contributors aim to provide a comprehensive introduction to each of these main areas of dispute concerning war. Each essay is an original contribution to ongoing debates on various aspects of war and also provides a survey of the main topics in each subfield. Serving as a companion to the theoretical issues pertaining to war, this volume also is an important contribution to debates in political philosophy. It can serve as a textbook for relevant courses on war offered in philosophy departments, religious studies programs, and law schools.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521700047
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	05/19/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Larry May is Professor of Philosophy at Washington University in St Louis and Research Professor of Social Justice at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, Charles Sturt and Australian National Universities. He is the author of many books, most recently Crimes against Humanity, which won an honorable mention from the American Society of International Law and Best Book award from the North American Society for Social Philosophy, and War Crimes and Just War, which won the Frank Chapman Sharp Prize for the best book on the philosophy of war and peace from the American Philosophical Association.

Table of Contents

Part I. Historical Background: 1. Jus ad bellum Gregory Reichberg; 2. Jus in bello Nicholas Rengger; Part II. Initiating War: 3. The principle of just cause Larry May; 4. Aggression and punishment Jeff McMahan; 5. Responding to humanitarian crises Cindy Holder; 6. War and democracy James Bohman; Part III. Waging War: 7. Proportionality and necessity Thomas Hurka; 8. Collateral damage David Lefkowitz; 9. Weapons of mass destruction Steven Lee; 10. Justifying torture as an act of war Michael Davis; 11. Terrorism: definition, defense, and women Marilyn Friedman; Part IV. Ending War: 12. Reconciliation and war's aftermath Trudy Govier; 13. Amnesties and international law Kit Wellman; 14. War crimes: the law of hell David Luban; 15. Revenge and demonization Nancy Sherman.

Editorial Reviews

"May offers an excellent anthology on war in four parts...Well written and argued, each of the articles covers a critical aspect of war or just war theory...Summing up: Highly recommended."
-R. Werner, Hamilton College, Choice


"... Larry May's collection of fifteen original essays makes an excellent contribution to the discourse... this is a highly nuanced exploration of just war, it is recommended for upper-level undergraduates, higher academicians, and policymakers."
-Ann C. Wyman, Missouri Southern State University, Joplin

From the Publisher