Moral outrage as a double-edged sword: critical reflections on peace and international law

This article explores the role of moral outrage in international law’s engagement with armed conflict and peacebuilding. Moral outrage is often understood as a force that draws attention to injustice and encourages collective responses to serious violations of international law. This article suggests, however, that the relationship between outrage, law, and peace is more complex. Drawing on insights from psychology, philosophy, and international legal scholarship, it examines how moral outrage is shaped by factors such as moral proximity and media dynamics. These factors influence which conflicts become emotionally salient and how international legal actors prioritise certain situations over others. By analyzing these dynamics, the article highlights how moral outrage can both support and complicate international law’s efforts toward peace. Rather than treating outrage as inherently problematic or inherently beneficial, the article argues for a more nuanced understanding of its role in the context of peace and international law.