Posted on 10/24/2001 5:44:31 AM PDT by Aquinasfan
Whether it is lawful to lay ambushes in war?
Objection 1. It would seem that it is unlawful to lay ambushes in war. For it is written (Dt. 16:20): "Thou shalt follow justly after that which is just." But ambushes, since they are a kind of deception, seem to pertain to injustice. Therefore it is unlawful to lay ambushes even in a just war.
Objection 2. Further, ambushes and deception seem to be opposed to faithfulness even as lies are. But since we are bound to keep faith with all men, it is wrong to lie to anyone, as Augustine states (Contra Mend. xv). Therefore, as one is bound to keep faith with one's enemy, as Augustine states (Ep. ad Bonif. clxxxix), it seems that it is unlawful to lay ambushes for one's enemies.
Objection 3. Further, it is written (Mt. 7:12): "Whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you also to them": and we ought to observe this in all our dealings with our neighbor. Now our enemy is our neighbor. Therefore, since no man wishes ambushes or deceptions to be prepared for himself, it seems that no one ought to carry on war by laying ambushes.
On the contrary, Augustine says (QQ. in Hept. qu. x super Jos): "Provided the war be just, it is no concern of justice whether it be carried on openly or by ambushes": and he proves this by the authority of the Lord, Who commanded Joshua to lay ambushes for the city of Hai (Joshua 8:2).
I answer that, The object of laying ambushes is in order to deceive the enemy. Now a man may be deceived by another's word or deed in two ways. First, through being told something false, or through the breaking of a promise, and this is always unlawful. No one ought to deceive the enemy in this way, for there are certain "rights of war and covenants, which ought to be observed even among enemies," as Ambrose states (De Officiis i).
Secondly, a man may be deceived by what we say or do, because we do not declare our purpose or meaning to him. Now we are not always bound to do this, since even in the Sacred Doctrine many things have to be concealed, especially from unbelievers, lest they deride it, according to Mt. 7:6: "Give not that which is holy, to dogs." Wherefore much more ought the plan of campaign to be hidden from the enemy. For this reason among other things that a soldier has to learn is the art of concealing his purpose lest it come to the enemy's knowledge, as stated in the Book on Strategy [Stratagematum i, 1 by Frontinus. Such like concealment is what is meant by an ambush which may be lawfully employed in a just war.
Nor can these ambushes be properly called deceptions, nor are they contrary to justice or to a well-ordered will. For a man would have an inordinate will if he were unwilling that others should hide anything from him
This suffices for the Replies to the Objections.
"Mohammed is Allah's apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to the unbelievers but merciful to one another." (48:29, Quran)
"When the sacred months are over slay the idolaters wherever you find them. Arrest them, besiege them, and lie in ambush everywhere for them. If they repent and take to prayer and pay the alms-tax, let them go their way. Allah is forgiving and merciful." (9:4, Quran)
Proper authority, just cause, rightful intention. Three out of three for the War on Terrorism.
It seems like the older generation that probably was exposed to Aquinas in Catholic colleges takes his brilliance for granted. I did not have that benefit. I'm a cradle Catholic who followed a circuitous path through various philosophies, beginning with Milton Friedman/economics/libertarianism then to Rand and a general study of various modern philosophies until arriving at Aristotle and then Aquinas. I truly appreciated his work after having wandering in the arid desert of modern philosophy for so long.
I think my situation is analagous to the many Catholic reverts who must go through a Fundamentalist stage before returning to the Church with a greater appreciation for Her.
"Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor." (1 Peter 2:16-17)
"But false prophets also arose among the people. just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction." (2 Peter 2:1)
"And we know that the Son of God has come and given us understanding, to know Him who is True; and we are in Him who is True, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." (1 John 5:20)
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?"
patent
Bookmarked. That's a long one. Anything in there about civil war?
Some of you may be familiar with Fr. Perricone from his appearances on EWTN. I believe he currently has a show on EWTN about the Mass. He is an excellent teacher. His enthusiasm for the subject, as well as his vast knowledge, is clearly evident. As part of his ChristiFideles organization, he teaches an Aquinas class which I have been attending. I am enjoying it very much.
Aquinasfan, Fr. Perricone wrote an article about how Thomas Aquinas has been (deliberately?) neglected in the seminaries. If it hasn't been posted to the ChristiFideles site, I will get it to you if you are interested.
"We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. Be peaceful, therefore, in warring, so that you may vanquish those whom you war against, and bring them to the prosperity of peace."
Americans cannot enjoy PEACE from terrorism until terrorists are vanquished.
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