Moral Paradoxes of Nuclear Deterrence

This volume examines the complex and vitally important ethical questions connected with the deployment of nuclear weapons and their use as a deterrent.

Gregory S. Kavka (Author)

9780521338967, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 30 October 1987

256 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.53 kg

This volume examines the complex and vitally important ethical questions connected with the deployment of nuclear weapons and their use as a deterrent. A number of the essays contained here have already established themselves as penetrating and significant contributions to the debate on nuclear ethics. They have been revised to bring out their unity and coherence, and are integrated with new essays. The books exceptional rigor and clarity make it valuable whether the reader's concern with nuclear ethics is professional or personal. Part I explores the morality of nuclear deterrrence from each of the two dominant traditions in moral philosophy, deontology and consequentialism, and points out a number of interesting ethical dilemmas. Part II criticizes a variety of alternatives to deterrence - unilateral nuclear disarmament, world government, strategic defense against ballistic missiles, and nuclear coercion - and argues for mutual nuclear disarmament as a realistic and desirable long-run alternative.

Preface
Introduction
Part I. Moral Paradoxes of Nuclear Deterrence: 1. Some paradoxes of deterrence
2. A paradox of deterrence revisited
3. Deterrence, utility and rational choice
4. Nuclear deterrence: some moral perplexities
5. Dilemmas of nuclear protest
Part II. Alternative to Nuclear Deterrence: 6. Unilateral nuclear disarmament
7. World government
8. Strategic defense
9. Nuclear coercion
10. Mutual nuclear disarmament
Notes
Index.

Subject Areas: Social & political philosophy [HPS]