Introduction
The consideration of when it is or is not legitimate to use military force against another group or country is one that requires astute ethical analysis. Deontological ethics can be useful for determining the moral righteousness of military intervention, specifically given the ability of a duty-based ethical system to offer the international community a set of ground rules member states can agree upon. The Geneva Convention is a prime example of how deontological ethical standards can create a worldview whereby war in general is deemed morally unjust except in certain specific circumstances. One of the great weaknesses with deontological ethics, as applied to the military, is that not all entities share the same moral precepts. Terrorism and rogue states are examples of parties that do not ascribe to a set of moral rules like the Geneva Convention. Although deontological ethics can be overly rigid when applied to the complexity of international relations, the ethical theory does underscore the importance of outlining clearly the circumstances under which military force is warranted, in order to promote a universal ethic of peace.
Deontological Ethics
Deontological ethics are duty-based ethics, meaning that the obedience to ethical laws or precepts are tantamount to the consequences of one’s actions. Philosopher Immanuel Kant is the premier philosopher associated with deontological ethics. Kant wrote extensively on the application of deontological ethics specifically to military matters and issues relating to war and peace.
Grounded in the notion that there are universal ethical principles, deontological ethics suggest that there are absolute, “definite laws,” (Kant, 1785, p. 1). Furthermore, Kant affirms the inherent rationality of obeying ethical laws: something that Kant calls a “supreme practical principle,” or the “categorical imperative,” (Kant, 1785, p. 1). In other words, it is irrational as well as immoral to deviate from universal ethical principles....
References
Kant, I. (1785). Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals. Abbott, T.K. (Trans). http://www.gutenberg.org/files/5682/5682.txt
Kant, I. (1795). Perpetual Peace. https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/kant/kant1.htm
Orend, B. (1999). Kant’s Just War Theory. Journal of the History of Philosophy 37(2): 323-353.
Van Der Linden, H. (2012). Review of Williams, H. Kant and the End of War: A Critique of Just War Theory. https://ndpr.nd.edu/news/kant-and-the-end-of-war-a-critique-of-just-war-theory/
Ethical Challenges of the War in Afghanistan Ten years after the start of the war in Afghanistan, military leaders still face ethical dilemmas engendered by the war. The overall discussion that develops from the literature reveals more questions than answers. The essay examines moral issues surrounding unconventional warfare or police actions. Such questions as whether it is acceptable to kill noncombatant civilians or torture detainees are explored, along with Just War
Ed wants John to simply comply with the way things are done at D&S so that he can be available for a potential promotion. Ed admits that Dryer may soon create a Vice President position that he expects to receive. This causes a conflict because Ed will most likely not sign off on John's having finished the training if John refuses to sign the document with the revised numbers.
In turn, the military institution involved should indeed follow such guidelines and allow the press the opportunity to investigate all the sides of the issue. Once again, if these limitations and conditions cannot be guaranteed by either the press or the military institution, the association with a single conglomerate cannot be ethical, as there is an inherent conflict of interest. In this regard, there should be a continuous recognition that
Colonel Victor Fehrenbach was also discharged after being outted by a third party. Thousands of other equally well qualified and combat-decorated military personnel must hide a fundamental aspect of their personal makeup from their comrades, most of whom could not care less about the sexual orientation of their fellow enlisted personnel. Fundamental Ethical Issues In principle, the ethical dilemma involved in the DADT policy issue is simply that, much the same
Ethical Leadership Given the recent crash on Wall Street and the housing market symbolized by corrupt financiers like Bernard Madoff, ethical and moral leadership of corporations has become a major issue for those who study the American capitalist system. In reality, such concerns about the lack of morality in business, government and society as a while has increased significantly in the last thirty years, which undoubtedly has been an era that
Ethics and the Internet As the computer has evolved in the modern world, so the potential for communication has also increased. The computer, and the development of the Internet, has meant that human society has become more connected than ever before and the barriers between nations and people around the globe have been broken down. While this is a positive development in many ways, the growth of the Internet has also
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now