Final answer:
Philosophical justifications for war often involve reconciling the presence of evil with belief in a benevolent deity, outlining notions of a 'just war,' and presenting the idea of a metaphysical first cause.
Step-by-step explanation:
The philosophical justifications for war often involve theodicy maneuvers, which attempt to reconcile the existence of evil with the belief in a benevolent deity. One such move is the Free Will Defense, suggesting that God grants humans autonomy, effectively testing them to choose between good and evil, with this choice impacting their ultimate fate.
Another philosophical position is the notion of a just war or 'holy war', as outlined by Christian thinkers like Augustine of Hippo. Augustine and others held that violence could be acceptable when used for a greater community good, for punishment, or self-defense, and was especially justified when sanctioned by an established authority.
These justifications stem from the belief that wars are waged in the name of a god who is viewed as the metaphysical first cause or 'unmoved mover', an original instigator of all action and existence. However, the idea that any act of war backed by divine sanction is inherently good is challenged by examples of horrific acts in religious texts, such as indiscriminate killings and divine tests of faith.
Furthermore, the concept of soul-building as a theodicean motive posits that humans need to evolve morally and spiritually, and that conflict, while a manifestation of free will's darker side, can also lead to personal and communal growth. Despite these philosophical moves, the existence of pure evil acts that lead to no discernible good has been used to counter the notion that all actions might serve a divine purpose.