What are the just causes of war?

Translation: quotations from Hugo Grotius are quoted in Ralph van Deman Magoffin's 1916 English translation; quoted in A. C. Campbell's 1814 English translation (abridged; 1901 edition), not his original words.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (undated; quoted in Ralph van Deman Magoffin's 1916 English translation): Hugo Grotius believed that waging war against heathen lands because of the unbelief of its inhabitants is not a just cause for war. He argued that just causes for war include refusal of the right of innocent passage or attacks on one's people, as seen in the example of the Midianites, or to recover possessions bestowed by divine bounty. "Nor do I read in the Old Testament, when possession had to be obtained by force of arms, that the Israelites waged war on any heathen land because of the unbelief of its inhabitants; but it was because the heathen refused them the right of innocent passage, or attacked them, as the Midianites did; or it was to recover the possessions which had been bestowed upon them by divine bounty." [1]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in A. C. Campbell's 1814 English translation (abridged; 1901 edition)): Hugo Grotius believed that just causes of war include defending one's borders and retaliating for the violation of rights, such as the rights of ambassadors. He supports this belief by citing examples from the Bible, including the war of Jephthah against the Ammonites and the war of David against the same people. "Of this kind is the war of Jephthah against the Ammonites, in defence of their borders. Jud. xi. and the war of David against the same people for having violated the rights of his Ambassadors. 2 Sam. x." [2]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in A. C. Campbell's 1814 English translation (abridged; 1901 edition)): Hugo Grotius discusses unjust causes of war in Book II, Chapter XXII, indicating that he believed certain causes of war are unjust. However, the passage does not directly state what the just causes of war are. "XXII On the Unjust Causes of War" [3]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in A. C. Campbell's 1814 English translation (abridged; 1901 edition)): Hugo Grotius believed that just causes of war include defence, recovery of one's property or debt, or the punishment of offences committed. He argued that war for defence of life is justifiable and lawful, but only against an aggressor when the danger is present and real, not imaginary. "Justifiable causes of War are Defence, recovery of one's property or debt, or the punishment of offences committed." [4]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in A. C. Campbell's 1814 English translation (abridged; 1901 edition)): Hugo Grotius believed that war may be justly conducted under certain conditions, and he sought to determine when, how, and by whom war may be justly conducted. "he seeks to discover when, how, and by whom war may be justly conducted." [5]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in A. C. Campbell's 1814 English translation (abridged; 1901 edition)): Hugo Grotius believed that just causes of war include defense of person and property, recovery of one's property or debt, and the punishment of offenses committed. He argued that these causes are justifiable and lawful, particularly when the danger is present and real, not imaginary. [6]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in A. C. Campbell's 1814 English translation (abridged; 1901 edition)): Hugo Grotius believed that some causes of war, though not actually just, may appear just and mislead well-meaning people. He argued that motives and causes of war must be considered, and that wars undertaken to maintain national honor should be conducted with moderation. "But respecting the authors of war, a distinction is to be made also, as to the motives and causes of war: some of which though not actually just, wear an appearance of justice, that may impose upon the well meaning." [7]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in A. C. Campbell's 1814 English translation (abridged; 1901 edition)): Hugo Grotius believed that a war is considered lawful and just not solely based on its causes, but from certain peculiar effects of right that accompany it. He argues that lawful war must be conducted by the sovereign power of each country, distinguishing such wars from those of pirates or robbers. "a war is defined to be just, not on account of the causes solely, in which it originates, nor on account of the magnitude of its objects, but from certain, peculiar, effects of right, with which it is attended." [8]
• BELIEF (undated; quoted in A. C. Campbell's 1814 English translation (abridged; 1901 edition)): Hugo Grotius believed that just causes of war include the defense of rights and the enforcement of the law of nations through reprisals. He argued that war must be declared in a solemn and just manner, and that it should be tempered with moderation and humanity. "On Just or Solemn War According to the Law of Nations on Declarations of War" [9]
• ACTION (editor's note) (undated; editor's note, not his words; quoted in A. C. Campbell's 1814 English translation (abridged; 1901 edition)): The passage does not record any action by Hugo Grotius. It is an editor's index listing topics and page numbers from his work, including 'Punishment: A justifiable cause of war, 75.' (key quote above) [10]

What cuts against it

• The contrary-evidence entries are already in the record ledger above: [10].

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. Hugo Grotius believed that just causes of war include defense of person and property, recovery of one's property or debt, and the punishment of offenses committed. [4]

2. He argued that these causes are justifiable and lawful, particularly when the danger is present and real, not imaginary. [6]

3. Grotius also believed that just causes of war include defending one's borders and retaliating for the violation of rights, such as the rights of ambassadors. [2]

4. He emphasized that waging war against heathen lands because of the unbelief of its inhabitants is not a just cause for war. [1]

5. Grotius believed that some causes of war, though not actually just, may appear just and mislead well-meaning people, and that wars undertaken to maintain national honor should be conducted with moderation. [7]

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: DIRECT

Extrapolation: Hugo Grotius believed that just causes of war include defense of person and property, recovery of one's property or debt, and the punishment of offenses committed. He emphasized that these causes are justifiable and lawful, particularly when the danger is present and real, not imaginary. Grotius also believed that just causes of war include defending one's borders and retaliating for the violation of rights, such as the rights of ambassadors. He emphasized that waging war against heathen lands because of the unbelief of its inhabitants is not a just cause for war.

Competing readings: The editor's note in the index lists 'Punishment: A justifiable cause of war, 75,' which may suggest that punishment is considered a just cause of war in Grotius's work. However, this is an inference based on the index and not a direct statement from Grotius.

Confidence: Moderate, as the record provides direct statements from Grotius on the just causes of war, but the editor's note introduces an inference that is not directly supported by Grotius's own words.