In dealing with the problem of war, how should one seek a proper middle path between absolute pacifism and extreme realism? How can a proper ethics of war be adhered to? Is “just war”, when used as a term for the moral evaluation of war, somewhat vague and ambiguous? This paper argues that in the analysis of various types of war ethics, it is necessary to put forward an “ethical constraints of war”. Such constraints should be valid in wartime, including (...) in the lead-up to war, during the war, and even post-war. Politicians and all the relevant agents are asked to consider not only the motives and intentions behind the war but also the actions and the means of warfare and even the long-term consequences. One should take into account not only the contents but also the grounds of the ethical constraints of war, which directly involves the basic principle of life. (shrink)

In dealing with the problem of war, how should one seek a proper middle path between absolute pacifism and extreme realism? How can a proper ethics of war be adhered to? Is “just war”, when used as a term for the moral evaluation of war, somewhat vague and ambiguous? This paper argues that in the analysis of various types of war ethics, it is necessary to put forward an “ethical constraints of war”. Such constraints should be valid in wartime, including (...) in the lead-up to war, during the war, and even post-war. Politicians and all the relevant agents are asked to consider not only the motives and intentions behind the war but also the actions and the means of warfare and even the long-term consequences. One should take into account not only the contents but also the grounds of the ethical constraints of war, which directly involves the basic principle of life. (shrink)