THE SOURCES OF THE "JUST WAR" CONCEPT IN ANCIENT PHILOSOPHICAL THOUGHT

Abstract

The philosophical foundations of the concept of just war, formed in ancient thought long before its codification in medieval scholasticism, are analyzed. The author traces the genesis of this doctrine in the works of thinkers such as Heraclitus, Plato, Aristotle, Isocrates, Polybius, and Cicero, paying particular attention to the ethical, political, and metaphysical premises of their reflections. The study of these sources not only reveals the early philosophical interpretation of armed conflict but also identifies the foundations of moral legitimization of war in ancient society. It is summarized that ancient thought did not limit itself to a normative assessment of war, but interpreted it within the structures of cosmic order, political harmony, or moral obligation. In Heraclitus, war appears as a driving force of renewal and balance of opposites; in Isocrates—as a necessity for the protection of civilizational values; and in Plato—as an evil justified only within the framework of a harmonious state, especially when it comes to defending justice. The evolution of ideas regarding the moral justification of war is revealed: from the natural-philosophical interpretations of the Presocratics to the juridical and ethical formulations of Cicero, where just war must conform to the principles of legality, justice, and proportionality. At the same time, the author emphasizes the cultural specificity of war concepts within both the Greek and Roman traditions. It is demonstrated that ancient notions of war contain proto-forms of the later criteria of jus ad bellum and jus in bello. In particular, Aristotle considers war a means to achieve eudaimonia rather than an end in itself, while Cicero articulates a framework within which war may be deemed lawful according to the norms of natural law. It is identified that ancient authors laid the groundwork for ideas about the citizen’s moral obligation in warfare, the balance between law and power, and the limits of permissible violence. Socrates and Plato, in particular, emphasize inner virtue and restraint in warfare, whereas Polybius and Cicero prioritize legal justification. It is revealed that the concept of just war in antiquity is not merely a philosophical legacy but also a source for modern critiques of imperialism, aggression, and military expansionism, as it encompasses projects of morally restricting violence that remain relevant in the 21st century.