The Ethics of War

(2.5,5 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This course will discuss a classical issue for international relations and political theory: the ethics of war. It will exemplify the role of norms in warfare and discuss the major dilemmas that armies, politicians, and civilians are facing in throughout history, with a specific focus on contemporary challenges. This class' approach is mainly interdisciplinary, drawing insights from moral and political philosophy, international law and international relations. By analyzing case studies, we will address the legitimacy of resorting to war, we will discuss legally and morally the coherence of certain rationales and principles aiming at justifying the use of force, and finally we will explore future challenges of the field (cyberwar, artificial intelligence). Ultimately, the course aims at providing the students with concepts and references they can deploy to build their own argument on justice and war.