Ethics of war, peace for a new age discussed

Walking in the footsteps of Cicero and Thomas Aquinas, a group of international scholars gathered at Chapman today to discuss how the old tenants of Just War Theory might be remade for a new world.

“The Ethics of War and Just Peace” conference is part of a five-year project of the international non-profit Global Ethics and Religion Forum, directed by Chapman’s Joseph Runzo, Ph.D.,

professor of philosophy and religious studies. One of the experts attending the conference and the keynote speaker at tonight’s evening presentation is Asa Kasher, Israel Prize Laureate, and a member of the Security Committee of Israel.

“This project is enormously important. It’s a collection of many little steps,” says Kasher, referring to the forum’s five-year plan to discuss and create a new set of just war principles.

The need for such talks is timely, says Dr Runzo. Just War Theory evolved in a medieval world ordered by monarchs, but today’s conflicts are driven as much by insurgents and terrorists as nation states, he says.

“Our interest is in looking at some of the new things that have to be considered,” such as terrorism, insurgency and humanitarian intervention, Runzo says.

Capping the day’s talks will be tonight’s presentation titled “The Ethics of Fighting Terrorism: New Principles and Doctrines” at 7:30 p.m. in Argyros Forum 209. Kasher speech will be followed by a response delivered by Brian Orend, Ph.D., director of international studies and global engagement and professor of philosophy, University of Waterloo, Canada.  Admission is free.