The mechanics of claims and permissible killing in war

This book develops an alternative account of rights according to which rights forfeiture has a much smaller role to play because rights themselves are more contextually contingent. For example, those who threaten to cause harm without a right to do so have weaker claims not to be killed than innocent bystanders or those who have a right to threaten to cause harm. By framing rights as the output of a balance of competing claims, and by laying out a detailed account of how to balance competing claims, Walen provides a more coherent account of when killing in war is permissible.

Introduction -- Basic premises and method -- A theory of rights -- Putting the mechanics of claims in perspective -- Avoiding a misplaced emphasis on intentions -- Innocent threats versus innocent bystanders -- From innocent threats to innocently aiding unjust combatants -- Negative agent-claims and the agent-patient inference -- Intervening agency and the right of non-sacrifice -- Conclusions.