(3) Describe the main principles of just-war theory.
One of the main principles of the just war theory is that before a country can morally go to conflict, they first must fulfill several criteria. One criteria is having a just cause; Force may only be used to correct a grave public evil, such as self defense against aggression, or protecting innocent life. Another criteria is the competent authority, where war can only be initialized by a well known public authority, not your random joe. Another criteria is the right intention for the war. The ultimate objective of the war must be to re-establish a just peace.
(4) In what fundamental way did Duns Scotus and William of Ockham challenge the position of Thomas Aquinas?
The fundamental way Duns Sotus and William of Ockham challenged the position of Thomas Aquinas was that Thomas Aquinas believed God’s intellect is primary, whereas they believed that God’s will was primary, because if you focused on his intelligence that would limit his omnipotence. Another way they challenged Aquinas was that he believed in Aristotle’s theology that “universals” (concepts like “whiteness”) have a real objective existence outside of the mind, embedded in individual things. Sotus and Ockham introduced the concept of “thisness”, shifting focus toward the unique individuality of things.
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