A rational grasp of the opposition to U.S. policy requires an understanding of that policy's method and presuppositions. It is a prudential policy posture, in which the end is identified and possible means are judged in terms of their contribution to the end. Such a decision presupposes several extremely important points. First, it presupposes that ethical principles, whether religiously or philosophically derived, do not in themselves solve problems, but go into the solution along with the circumstances. It perceives, for example, that in a concrete case such as Vietnam, typically several values, ends, or principles will be in conflict: we value life as a good-in-itsclf, but we value also freedom and order.