Pallera, Andrea Nicole C.

Seminar 3 - 2E
October 23, 2019
The Just War Theory, a Path to Peace?

In the context of this reading, it provides that a war is just when the following requisites
are met namely: (a) when legitimate public authority calls it; (b) when there exists a just
cause; and (c) when there is a right intention. For me, whenever I hear the word “war”, it
automatically implies to me that there is a disturbance of peace and involves harm and
outrage. However, as pointed out by this article, not all wars are directed towards
injustice, immorality, conflicts, and abhorrent attacks. There are instances when the war
is intended to protect the well-being of the people and the nation. What is important is
that the theory on just war is being applied and that the end goal is for the greater good.
In essence, the just war theory postulates that wars, while gruesome, terrible and
dreadful, is not always the worst option. The purpose of this doctrine is to ensure that
wars are morally justifiable and to provide a guide to the right way for states to act in
potential conflict situations. It is not intended to justify wars but to prevent them by
showing that going to war except in certain limited circumstances is wrong, and thus
motivate states to find other ways of resolving conflicts.

The just war theory can be a path to peace. It leads nations and states to a collaborative
duty to ensure that wars are being prevented and if inevitable are within the limits
prescribed by the doctrine of just war. It is important to ascertain the intention and the
means employed in war to fully determine if it is a just war. It must be established that
the means employed are lawful and necessary to achieve a lawful intention and subject
which must be for the greater good. Hence, the government authorities are duty bound
to protect the welfare of the people at all times.

The restoration of the social and moral order after a war is also important. The
destruction of order brought upon by the war cannot be fully restored except by justice
and forgiveness. Justice and forgiveness are essential to healing and reconciliation. It
all starts with a heart that knows how to forgive the weaknesses, sins and failures of
others because we also want to be forgiven by our weaknesses, sins and failures. In
life, we all encounter our own battles that can wound and break us. However, at the end
of the day, what matters the most is how we stand up and learn from our mistakes and
forgive those who have caused us pain. Healing is so important in one’s life because it
will help us go on with our lives peacefully. Whenever we hold grudges, resentment and
bitterness towards other people, we are in essence allowing negative feelings to crowd
out positive feelings and we might find yourself swallowed up by our own bitterness or
sense of injustice. By embracing forgiveness, the attainment of peace, hope, gratitude
and joy will certainly follow.

Prayer and peace is also of great significance in this article. It was discussed that to
pray for peace is to pray for justice and to see God’s forgiveness, and to implore the
courage to forgive those who trespassed against us. Our prayers are offerings pleasing
to God, if it is preceded by a sincere effort to reconcile with our brothers and sisters, that
is, to forgive them and ask for their forgiveness. Prayer is so powerful that we must
always continue to pray for a better and peaceful world. We cannot fight wars by having
more wars rather by instilling in our society the culture of peace. It is not enough that
there is the absence of war, we must strive to incorporate to our society the continuing
presence of justice, peace, forgiveness, and respect for human rights of every human
being. It is only then that we may attain true and genuine peace.