Summary in Defense of Just War Theory and Conclusion

Abstract

In this chapter, the author sums up her argument that war is sometimes justified and provides a final conclusion. She points to the importance of holding to complex moral standards in an imperfect world, situating her argument in the context of the war in Afghanistan and the global challenges of the 21st century. Violence at the level of war is somewhat less easy, but it still holds out the promise of finality: it claims to be able to end the argument (or at least, make it go away) by beating the opponent into submission. In reality though, violence, especially at the level of war, is neither of these things. The author concludes that might, when it is used in the right way, at the right time, and in the right manner, can open the door to right, and so war is sometimes justified.