Paul Ramsey's Political Ethics

The thought of Paul Ramsey continues to assert an enormous influence on Christian ethics. In this book, David Attwood provides the first book-length presentation of Paul Ramsey's political ethics since his death, taking into account his last work, Speak Up for Just War or Pacificism. Attwood gives a clear, detailed, and accurate account of Ramsey's work, exposing the coherent logic and systematic thought holding together his theology and ethical applications. This book traces the theological and ethical basis for Ramsey's just war theory, the theological basis for ethics in Christian covenant love and its expression in principles and exceptionless moral rules. Attwood examines the theological foundations of Ramsey's political theory and the way he combined political and ethical analysis in his consideration of the morality of nuclear deterrence. The introductory section sketches Ramsey's career, with the emphasis on his work in politics and just war theory.