This type of cost/benefit calculation was the justification for using the nuclear fission bomb on Japan in WW2. The estimated cost of deaths of pushing the Pac

This type of cost/benefit calculation was the justification for using the nuclear fission bomb on Japan in WW2. The estimated cost of deaths of pushing the Pacific invasion without the bomb was higher than the cost of deaths using the bomb to force a surrender. Keep in mind this was in an era when total war existed, and civilians of warring nations were considered unarmed combatants.