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The Cosmopolitan “No-Harm” Duty in Warfare: Exposing the Utilitarian Pretence of Universalism

Ulgen, Ozlem

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Abstract

This article demonstrates a priori cosmopolitan values of restraint and harm limitation exist to establish a cosmopolitan “no-harm” duty in warfare, predating utilitarianism and permeating modern international humanitarian law. In doing so, the author exposes the atemporal and ahistorical nature of utilitarianism which introduces chaos and brutality into the international legal system. Part 2 conceptualises the duty as derived from the “no-harm” principle under international environmental law. Part 3 frames the discussion within legal pluralism and cosmopolitan ethics, arguing that divergent legal jurisdictions without an international authority necessitates a “public international sphere” to mediate differences leading to strong value-commitment norm-creation. One such norm is the “no-harm” duty in warfare. Part 4 traces the duty to the Stoics, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, African traditional culture, Hinduism, and Confucianism. Parts 5 and 6 explain how the duty manifests in principles of distinction and proportionality under international humanitarian law.

Citation

Ulgen, O. (2022). The Cosmopolitan “No-Harm” Duty in Warfare: Exposing the Utilitarian Pretence of Universalism. Athena : Critical Inquiries in Law, Philosophy and Globalization, 2(1), 116-151. https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.2724-6299/14648

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 24, 2022
Online Publication Date Apr 12, 2022
Publication Date Apr 12, 2022
Deposit Date Jun 20, 2022
Publicly Available Date Jun 20, 2022
Journal Athena : Critical Inquiries in Law, Philosophy and Globalization
Electronic ISSN 2724-6299
Publisher Centro di Ricerca in Storia del Diritto, Filosofia e Sociologia del Diritto e Informatica Giuridica
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 2
Issue 1
Pages 116-151
DOI https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.2724-6299/14648
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/8628784
Publisher URL https://athena.unibo.it/article/view/14648

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