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Hugo Grotius on Ethics and War

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  • Forde, Steven

Abstract

Interest in the thought of Hugo Grotius on international law and ethics is justified inasmuch as he attempted to define a theoretical position between an idealism he thought counterproductive and an amoral realism he found unacceptable. Grotius constructed a system in which the moral authority of natural law was combined with the flexibility of human law. This required him to develop a special understanding of the nature and relation of these two types of law. In giving the law of nations, as a product of human will, the authority to suspend provisions of natural law, he provided for a code of international conduct that could permit injustice where necessary, without abandoning moral ideals altogether.

Suggested Citation

  • Forde, Steven, 1998. "Hugo Grotius on Ethics and War," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 92(3), pages 639-648, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:92:y:1998:i:03:p:639-648_21
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