Caritas in Veritate Foundation

Nuclear Deterrence

An Ethical Perspective
A new publication from the Caritas in Veritate Foundation 
The Caritas in Veritate Foundation is pleased to present our sixth working paper, wherein we explore the ethics of nuclear weapon possession and examine, in particular, the Church’s position on the question of deterrence.
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Navigating the grave risks associated with nuclear weapons is a top priority for our time. Over the last two years there has been an increased focus on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear arms, resulting in a renewed call to ban their use and engage in disarmament. Throughout these discussions, the question of keeping nuclear weapons to dissuade foreign aggression – the most common argument used to justify nuclear possession – has not been extensively addressed.This working paper seeks to reassess the question of nuclear deterrence in light of the most recent discourse on nuclear weapon use. We attempt to undercut the assumption that nuclear deterrence can be judged independently from nuclear use, and we argue that it no longer functions as an instrument that allows for disarmament; rather, it has become an obstacle toward achieving that goal. Consistent with recent church teaching, this paper concludes that the deterrence position lacks a proper moral foundation. Essentially, nuclear disarmament is not an option but a moral duty. It is time for abolition.
Mission of the Caritas in Veritate Foundation 

The Caritas in Veritate Foundation is grounded in Christian values and the social teaching of the Catholic Church. It aims to provide the Christian representatives at the United Nation in Geneva with expertise and strategic thinking, and it directly supports the Holy See in its mission to uphold human dignity and attain truth and justice on the international scene.

 

Our goal is to make the positions of the Catholic Church more understandable and visible, thus increasing their impact on the elaboration of international culture and law.

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Caritas in Veritate Foundation
16 ch. du Vengeron
1292 Chambésy
Switzerland