Research Paper Introductory Paragraph

War has pervaded the human race since civilization first began. As such, the debate over just how immoral one may be to their enemy has raged for millennia. Our modern perspective on the subject is derived most directly from Thomas Aquinas’ work. However, both Aristotle and Socrates contributed views on the matter as well, creating a philosophical dialogue that, through Augustine, culminates in the 13th century priest’s Just War Theory. In particular, a society’s adherence to the concept of jus in bello, justice in war, which did not exist in the mind of Socrates, can be analyzed through historical means. According to Patrick Messina, pre-Christian peoples did not have enough of an appreciation for the dignity of human life to consider morality or justice while fighting. However, analysis of Greek and Roman history and historical documents prove otherwise, showing that the question of how one may maintain justice in war has been progressively answered for millennia, both in ideals and in practice.