[at-l] Just Hike Theory

[landis@xxxxxxxx (Steve Landis)]

ron babington wrote:

 > so what kind of criterion must be met in order for us to be Justified in
 > dropping out of civilization for a Long-Distance Hike?  :)
 >
 > brother ron

Soon after he developed the Just War Theory in the 5th Century, St
Augustine was exhausted and in need of rejuvenation.  It was then that
he began to develop the Just *Hike* Theory when he penned the words
"Salvitur Ambulando" (walking solves all things).

Most long distance hikers point to St. Augustine as the formulator of
the Doctrine of the Just *Hike*. Extrapolated from The City of God, the
principles have been formulated into these eight statements:

+ *Hiking* must be the last resort after all other possible solutions
have been tried and failed.
+ The reason for the *hike* must be to redress rights actually violated
or to defend against unjust demands.
+ The *hike* must be openly and legally declared by the prospective hiker.
+ There must be a reasonable chance of completing the *hike*.
+ *Hikers* must try to distinguish between hikers and civilians and
never harm civilians on purpose.
+ The means used in *hiking* must be "proportionate" to the end sought.
+ The good to be done by the *hike* must outweigh the evil which the
*hike* would do.
+ The *hiker* must never require the utter humiliation of non hikers.


Steve