Nuclear Deterrence, Morality and Realism

Nuclear deterrence requires objective ethical analysis. In providing it, the authors face realities - the Soviet threat, and a possible nuclear holocaust - concluding that the deterrent is unjustifiable.

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Nuclear deterrence requires objective ethical analysis. In providing it, the authors face realities - the Soviet threat, possible nuclear holocaust, strategic imperatives - but they also unmask moral evasions - deterrence cannot be bluff, pure counterforce, the lesser (or greater) evil, or a step towards disarmament. They conclude that the deterrent is unjustifiable and examine the new question of conscience that this raises for everyone.