Ethical Reasoning in International Affairs : Arguments from the Middle Ground

This collection rejects excessive idealism in considering contemporary ethical dilemmas and returns to more classical styles of ethical reasoning, including pragmatism, legal realism and the virtuous life. Valuing pluralism and the ethical dilemmas that ensue from the multiplicity of values in contemporary international society, this book does not seek to solve by raising one value over others, but rather by seeking reconciliations.

Arguing for a middle ground between idealism and realism, this book offers a fruitful starting point for studying international ethics, of war most obviously, but also of justice, human rights, intervention, succession and development ethics where universal ideals encounter real world obstacles to the accomplishment of principles of the good. The collection considers real-life situations and how to resolve them in ways that do not demand a total overthrow of the contemporary international order but that point to ways to ameliorate it.

Bringing together renowned international scholars in the field, this book will appeal to scholars of international relations and international ethics, as well as diplomats.