Question

It is immoral for a government to enter a war unless its own citizens have been attacked. To avoid taking immoral action, governments should receive international approval before entering a war in another country, no matter the cost.

Each of the following, if true, would strengthen the argument EXCEPT

Possible Answers:

A. Governments increase casualties by joining wars in other countries.
B. A government will not receive international approval to join a war when its citizens have not been attacked.
C. There is usually international approval for a government that goes to war after its citizens are attacked.
D. Some governments have caused international turmoil by entering wars without international approval.
E. Governments often save lives by entering wars in other countries.

Answer 1

Option E, which states that governments often save lives by entering wars in other countries, does not strengthen the argument; it actually presents a contrary scenario suggesting that there can be moral justifications for war without international approval or direct attack.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks which of the given statements does not strengthen the argument that it is immoral for governments to enter a war unless its own citizens have been attacked and that international approval is necessary before entering a war. To analyze the statements, we must consider how they relate to the concepts of morality, international approval, and the causes and effects of war.

• A. Governments increase casualties by joining wars in other countries. Morality of war is often judged by its consequences, including casualties. This statement supports the argument as it suggests that war increases harm.
• B. A government will not receive international approval to join a war when its citizens have not been attacked. This reinforces the need for international approval, therefore supporting the argument.
• C. There is usually international approval for a government that goes to war after its citizens are attacked. This aligns with the claim that international approval is more likely when a government is perceived to be acting in self-defense, supporting the argument.
• D. Some governments have caused international turmoil by entering wars without international approval. This example of negative consequences strengthens the case for seeking international approval before engaging in war.
• E. Governments often save lives by entering wars in other countries. This statement does not support the argument; instead, it presents a possible justification for war without international approval if it leads to saving lives.

Therefore, option E is the answer that, if true, would not strengthen the argument by presenting a scenario where entering a war can have moral justifications even without international approval or direct attack on one's own citizens.