Week 26 Review(Western Civilization)

(3) Describe the main principles of just-war theory.

The just war theory was the art of trying to condone or explain war. It was an attempt made by many scholars to come up with reasons one could engage in fighting. The basic ideas were that war could only be validated if a number of different aspects were applied. There needed to be a legitimate authority and a just cause for starting the war. The participants should also have a rightful and noble intention, in beginning the conflict. In addition, it was only reasonable that they there be at least some probability of success. It would obviously be rash to rush into battle, if you hadn't the slightest inkling of hope to win it. Another factor was determining the proportionality (or scale) of the war. It was necessary that there be an even, fair amount of men and weaponry on each side. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a fair exchange, if one party was badly outnumbered by the other. There were also some other rules that had to be abided by, before one could actively enlist in the act of bloodshed.For one thing, noncombatants weren't allowed to be targeted. Noncombatants are those who are part of the civilian population and not willingly involved. Places like schools and homes were off limits, when it came to areas that could be attacked. Constraints were placed regarding the clergy and women and children as well. It was considered evil to murder or abuse them, or to bother undefended clergy. 
There were set aside certain days on which it was thought immoral to conduct warfare. It was also prohibited on definite weekdays, feasts, and ritualistic seasons(ex:Lent,Advent). In any case, war was always to be thought of as only the absolute last utilization. 

(2)Choose two of the divine attributes discussed in lesson 127 and explain how Aquinas derives them.
 One of the five attributes of God is that of immateriality. Thomas Aquinas is masterful in proving how the creator can not be material, by logical arguments. He wrote that a material object must needs be inconstant. The almighty is anything but changeable, as he is a purely"actual being". Anything that exists within the boundaries of space and time is thereby capable of revision. But any being that is unalterable would have to subsist outside the realm of these physical bounds. It's obvious from these rationalizations that no mortal could fit this criteria. Only a holy, immortal individual who dwelled in a heavenly home could possess this ability. 
The second quality of God was "perfect and all good". Thomas stated that he holds within his grasp every ideal(or perfection) one should have. Accordingly then, he is absolute and not capable of wrong-doing. It is also impossible for him to have any detrimental visages(or features). An imperfection, by Aquinas's definition, is merely a lack of something. For instance, blindness is simply the absence of light.God is inept of lacking any beneficial  Only flawed, fallen humans can have areas in which they require improvement.