ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the concept of a moral and/or civilised society and describes the idea of 'degree of abuse'. It examines moral obligation and the ethical principles underpinning the use of military force for humanitarian purposes. The chapter explores most basic moral reasoning behind the use of force for humanitarian purposes. Ethical means and outcomes are important during humanitarian intervention. Consequentialism and utilitarianism have room for both 'common sense morality' and a more rational moral response to difficult ethical dilemmas. The difficulty noted in such objections is real or any other normative ethical theory is unusable as a moral guide. Virtually all ethical theories give the consequences of an act considerable weight with the goodness of consequence being a major factor relevant to the moral status of acts. Utilitarianism contends that an action is morally right, indeed obligatory, if it produces good or maximum utility for all person affected by the action.
