DOI

10.1111/j.1467-9760.2009.00354.x

Abstract

In this article, the author discusses philosophy teacher David Estlund's belief that subjects of a state with a morally justified claim to political authority have a duty to obey its legal commands to wage a particular war, even if they believe that the state has made a mistake in its reasons for waging the war. The author argues that Estlund's theory also allows for individuals to assess the justice of the wars they fight. He also argues that Estlund's view also holds that individual combatants should not be held accountable for any injustice of a war that the state believes is morally permissible to fight.

Document Type

Post-print Article

Publication Date

6-2010

Publisher Statement

Copyright © 2010, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. The definitive version is available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1467-9760.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9760.2009.00354.x

Full Citation: Lefkowitz, David. "Legitimate Authority, Following Orders, and Wars of Questionable Justice." Journal of Political Philosophy 18, no. 2 (June 2010): 218-27. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9760.2009.00354.x.

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