How did Peeta kill Brutus?
Sucture. This will help to ensure that gaps are closed and prevent exploitation by hostile actors.
Incident Report By: St. Augustine of Hippo
Subject: The killing of Brutus by Peeta Mellark in "The Hunger Games" and its alignment with the concept of "Just War"
Introduction: The purpose of this incident report is to analyze the event in which Peeta Mellark, a participant in "The Hunger Games," killed Brutus, another participant. The report will examine whether this act meets the criteria of a "just war" as per my philosophy and theology.
Background: "The Hunger Games" is a dystopian tale set in a society where young individuals are forced to participate in a brutal and deadly competition. The participants, known as "tributes," are selected from twelve districts and are pitted against each other in a fight to the death, with only one survivor permitted.
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Incident Description: During the competition, Peeta Mellark, a tribute from District 12, engaged in combat with Brutus, a tribute from District 2. Peeta killed Brutus to save his own life and protect his ally, Katniss Everdeen, from harm. The killing of Brutus was an intentional act carried out in self-defense and the defense of another.
Analysis of the Incident in light of the "Just War" Criteria:
Just Cause: In my teachings, I have stressed that a just war requires a just cause, such as self-defense or the defense of others from harm. In this case, Peeta killed Brutus to protect himself and Katniss fromimminent danger. As Brutus posed a direct threat to their lives, Peeta's act of killing him can be considered a just cause.
Legitimate Authority: A just war requires a legitimate authority to declare and initiate the conflict. In the case of "The Hunger Games," the competition is orchestrated by a corrupt government, which forces the tributes to participate in the deadly event. The authority behind the competition is unjust, and thus, it does not meet the criteria of a just war.
Right Intention: A just war must be waged with the right intention, which includes promoting good and avoiding evil. Peeta's intention in killing Brutus was to save his own life and that of his ally, Katniss. While Peeta's intention to protect life is inherently good, it is important to consider that he is also participating in an event that promotes violence and death.
Last Resort: A just war should be waged only as a last resort after all other means of resolving the conflict have been exhausted. In the context of "The Hunger Games," the tributes are forced into a situation where violence and killing are the only means to survive. However, the overall competition itself is not a last resort, as the government could have chosen alternative methods to maintain control and order.
Probability of Success: A just war must have a reasonable chance of success. In "The Hunger Games," each tribute's probability of success is low, given that only one can survive. Although Peeta ultimately emerges as one of the victors, the competition's structure makes the probability of success inherently unjust.
Proportionality: A just war must ensure that the damage inflicted during the conflict is proportional to the good achieved. In this case, Peeta's act of killing Brutus resulted in the preservation of his own life and that of Katniss. However, the overall violence and death toll of "The Hunger Games" far outweigh the good achieved by a single tribute's survival. The competition causes excessive suffering, making it disproportionate and thus failing to meet the criteria of a just war.
In light of the analysis above, it is evident that the act of Peeta killing Brutus in self-defense and the defense of another can be considered a just cause. However, when considering the overall context of "The Hunger Games," the incident does not meet the criteria for a just war. The competition is orchestrated by an illegitimate authority, promotes violence, and is not a last resort. Additionally, the probability of success for each participant is low, and the resulting harm far outweighs the good achieved.
Therefore, based on my philosophy and theology, I conclude that the killing of Brutus by Peeta Mellark in "The Hunger Games" does not meet the criteria for a just war.
