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Single Idea 24380

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / c. Combatants]

Full Idea

If a citizen bears arms on the orders of the sovereign even in an unjust war, he does not do wrong.

Gist of Idea

A citizen does no wrong if he obediently fights in an unjust war

Source

Samuel Pufendorf (On the Duty of Man and Citizen [1673], II.12)

A Reaction

Pufendorf goes on to say that the individual still bears moral responibility for specific wrongs, such as bearing false witness. McMahan disagrees with this idea.

Book Reference

Pufendorf,Samuel: 'On the Duty of Man and Citizen' [CUP 1991], p.157

Related Idea

Idea 23611 Soldiers cannot freely fight in unjust wars, just because they behave well when fighting [McMahan]