Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Can preventive war be justified?
Position1 of 3›

Yes, preventative war can be justified

This position holds that preventive war can be morally justified. Proponents argue that a state need not wait to absorb an attack it can foresee, that modern weapons leave no time to respond after the fact, and that acting early can cost fewer lives overall.

Supporting arguments · 2

  1. A state need not wait to absorb an attack it can see coming
  2. Preventing an atrocity is a stronger duty than preserving a procedural rule