Trojan AI Dog

 

Another AI blog.  Why again?  "Monsters of war" is not far from the truth.  Now drones are commonly used to kill and destroy from afar and distant from those who suffer the consequences.  War becomes easier and more acceptable.  AI weapons are not some future dream, or nightmare.  They are here now and increasing in complexity and effectiveness.

Our Church's definition of a "just war" shall come into question, again. Of note, Pope Francis said in 2022, “We can no longer think of war as a solution, because its risks will probably always be greater than its supposed benefits. In view of this, it is very difficult nowadays to invoke the rational criteria elaborated in earlier centuries to speak of the possibility of a 'just war. ' Never again war!” 

Furthermore, according to the Church’s just war doctrine described in the Catechism: (begin) 2309 The strict conditions for legitimate defense by military force require rigorous consideration. The gravity of such a decision makes it subject to rigorous conditions of moral legitimacy. At one and the same time: (1) the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain; (2) all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective; (3) there must be serious prospects of success; (4) the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power of modern means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition. The evaluation of these conditions for moral legitimacy belongs to the prudential judgment of those who have responsibility for the common good. (end)

All this makes me wonder if the war against Hamas is just, according to Catholic doctrine.  Number 4 makes me think even more seriously about the wholesale destruction of so many innocent Palestinians and their homes.  Many seeds for revenge have been planted, and they likely will bear much future rotten fruit and evil.

Deacon David Pierce