War and moral dissonance
By: Peter A. French
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Cambridge; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 343
ISBN-13: 9781107000483; 9780521169035
Subjects: Moral and ethical aspects; United States. Marine Corps; Military ethics; Military chaplains; United States; Study and teaching; Psychological aspects; Chaplains; Moral conditions; United States. Navy; Professional ethics; War; Iraq War, 2003-
Description: "This collection of essays, inspired by the author's experience teaching ethics to Marine and Navy chaplains during the Iraq War, examines the moral and psychological dilemmas posed by war. The first section deals directly with Dr. Peter A. French's teaching experience and the specific challenges posed by teaching applied and theoretical ethics to men and women wrestling with the immediate and personal moral conflicts occasioned by the dissonance of their duties as military officers with their religious convictions. The following chapters grew out of philosophical discussions with these chaplains regarding specific ethical issues surrounding the Iraq War, including the nature of moral evil, forgiveness, mercy, retributive punishment, honor, torture, responsibility, and just war theory. This book represents a unique viewpoint on the philosophical problems of war, illuminating the devastating toll combat experiences take on both an individual's sense of identity and a society's professed moral code"--Provided by publisher.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: The two-collar conflict : a philosopher's memoir of the Iraq War; title: Our better angels have broken wings : human nature and the nature of evil; title: Responsibility for innocence lost; title: Virtuous responses to moral evil; title: Assessing attempts at moral originality; title: Public and private honor, shame, and the appraising audience; title: Torture; title: Community and worthwhile living in Second Life; title: Of merels and morals : musts and oughts; title: Inference gaps in moral assessment : individuals, organizations, and institutions; title: Blaming whole populations : the American people and the Iraq War; title: The moral challenge of collective memories; title: Corporate responsibility and punishment redux; title: Mission creep.