Just War?

Just is an interesting word. It has 2 meanings. As an adverb, it is synonomous with merely. As an adjective it is related to justice and justified (all from Latin), and means legitimate, or fair and impartial.

For example is there such a thing as a Just War? Is it possible to think that war is justified by the circumstances? Many people think so. But Thick Nhat Hanh in Creating True Peace would disagree. He embraces a philosophy of Peace and Nonviolence. He points out that violence always begets more violence and the only antidote to violence is peace. History has definitely shown that if you hurt or kill someone, someone else will kill or hurt someone in retribution. And so on and so on. Where does it end? Violence will not end violence it only generates more violence and hate. If we kill a terrorist, another will rise up to avenge the first.

It makes sense. Too much sense. Is the world ready for it?