School of War Ep 220: Marc LiVecche on Hiroshima and Morality
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Aug 5, 2025 Marc LiVecche, a McDonald Distinguished Scholar of Ethics, dives deep into the moral intricacies of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He tackles Just War Theory, questioning if these historic actions can be justified ethically. The discussion unravels the concept of moral injury faced by soldiers and considers conflicting perspectives on the necessity of nuclear warfare. LiVecche's insights prompt listeners to reflect on the complex legacies of wartime decisions and their implications for modern warfare ethics.
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Marc's Path to Military Ethics
- Marc LiVecche discovered his interest in the ethics of war through a religious conversion and a powerful experience at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
- Reading the names of 1.2 million victims profoundly shaped his journey to becoming a military ethicist.
Why Auschwitz Stands Out
- Auschwitz is uniquely studied because it was both a death and work camp with many survivors.
- This combination allows a fuller understanding of the Holocaust compared to camps with few or no survivors.
Just War and Hiroshima
- Just War Theory allows for killing when it is decisive, proportionate, and aimed at restoring justice and peace.
- LiVecche seeks to defend Hiroshima's bombing as consistent, not contradictory, to Just War principles.
