Application of the Just War Theory in Cyberwarfare and Ethical Solutions to the Use of Cyber Weapons

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D Student, at IT (Electronic Commerce), University of Qom, Qom, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Islamic Sciences and Culture Academy, Qom, Iran.

Abstract

Cyberspace has provided new possibilities for the exchange of information that can be considered a key element for the development of life. On the other hand, it has become a new weapon and a suitable platform for war. Some argue that one of the features of cyberwarfare is that it can be more ethical than traditional warfare because it causes less damage and the resulting damage is easily compensable. In recent years, due to the expansion of the use of cyber weapons, new and serious ethical issues have arisen in this area. The ethics of using cyber weapons and whether the theory of just war also applies to cyberwarfare is a serious question. In this article, in addition to examining the application of the just war theory in cyberwarfare, strategies for the ethical use of cyber weapons are addressed. Such solutions include: using the just war theory in accordance with cyber warfare, designing reversible attacks, designing and using controllable cyber weapons, training cyber army experts, non-arbitrary participation of civilians in cyberwarfare, mobilization of people, teaching ethical issues of cyberwarfare, and moral education from childhood. According to studies, the just war theory is necessary for cyberwarfare, but it is not enough, and governments and the international community should seek to establish ethical and legal principles specific to cyberwarfare.

Keywords

Article Title [Persian]

کاربرد نظریة جنگ عادلانه در جنگ سایبری و راهکارهای اخلاقی استفاده از سلاح‌های سایبری

Authors [Persian]

  • زینب آل بویه 1
  • علیرضا آل بویه 2
1 دانشجوی دکتری فناوری اطلاعات، دانشکده علوم انسانی، دانشگاه قم، قم، ایران.
2 استادیار گروه فلسفه اخلاق، پژوهشگاه علوم و فرهنگ اسلامی.قم، ایران.
Abstract [Persian]

فضای سایبری امکانات جدیدی را برای تبادل اطلاعات فراهم کرده است که می‌تواند به عنوان رکنی اصلی برای توسعة زندگی در نظر گرفته شود. از طرف دیگر، همین فضا به منزلة سلاحی جدید و بستری مناسب برای جنگ تبدیل شده است. برخی معتقدند یکی از ویژگی‌های جنگ سایبری این است که نسبت به جنگ‌های سنتی می‌تواند اخلاقی‌تر باشد؛ زیرا آسیب‌های کمتری ایجاد کرده و خسارت‌های ناشی از آن به راحتی قابل جبران است. در سال‌های اخیر به دلیل گسترش استفاده از سلاح‌های سایبری مسائل اخلاقی جدید و مهمی در این حوزه به وجود آمده است. اخلاقی بودن استفاده از سلاح‌های سایبری و اینکه آیا نظریة جنگ عادلانه در مورد جنگ سایبری نیز کاربرد دارد یا نه، یک  سؤال جدی است. در این مقاله علاوه بر بررسی کاربرد نظریة جنگ عادلانه در جنگ سایبری، به راهکارهای استفاده اخلاقی از سلاح‌های سایبری پرداخته می‌شود. راه‌کارها عبارتند از: استفاده از نظریة جنگ عادلانه متناسب با جنگ سایبری، طراحی حمله‌های برگشت‌پذیر، طراحی و استفاده از سلاح‌های سایبری قابل کنترل، تربیت نیروهای خبره ارتش سایبری، عدم شرکت خودسرانه غیرنظامیان در جنگ سایبری، تشکیل بسیج مردمی، آموزش مسائل اخلاقی جنگ سایبری و تربیت اخلاقی از کودکی. با توجه به بررسی‌های انجام شده، نظریة جنگ عادلانه برای جنگ سایبری لازم است، اما کافی نیست و دولت‌ها و جوامع بین‌المللی باید به دنبال تدوین اصول اخلاقی و قانونی مخصوص جنگ‌های سایبری باشند.

Keywords [Persian]

  • اخلاق فناوری اطلاعات
  • اخلاق جنگ
  • فضای سایبری
  • جنگ سایبری
  • جنگ عادلانه

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Ethical Reflections
Volume 2, Issue 3 - Serial Number 7
October 2021
Pages 49-76

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History

  • Receive Date: 03 January 2022
  • Revise Date: 22 January 2022
  • Accept Date: 23 January 2022

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