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UNJUST AGGRESSOR

An assailant who attacks an innocent person actually and unjustly. Actual aggression is an imminent or practically present assault that cannot be evaded. Unjust aggression is experienced when the assault is at least materially unwarranted, i.e., when the assailant is not morally responsible for the attack. In all cases of unjust aggression it is permitted to use such force as may be necessary to unsure self-protection.

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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