Empowering Our Military Conscience: Transforming Just War Theory and MIlitary Moral Education

Following on from Ethics Education in the Military (eds. Paul Robinson, Nigel de Lee and Don Carrick: Ashgate 2008) which surveyed and critically analyzed the existing theory and practice of educating soldiers, sailors and airmen in the ethics of'old fashioned'warfaring, this volume considers the extent to which such theory and practice is adequate to prepare members of the military to meet the more complex ethical challenges faced when engaging in irregular warfare in the 21st century. In recent years, events in Iraq and Afghanistan have highlighted the requirement that Western military personnel, drawn from the armed forces of many different countries, should behave in an ethical manner at all times. The contributors to this volume come from various disciplinary backgrounds, several are serving or former military officers and most are actively engaged in ethics education. The volume advances theoretical understanding of different approaches to ethics education and provides practical conclusions. Following On From Ethics Education In The Military Which Analyzed The Existing Theory And Practice Of Educating Soldiers, Sailors And Airmen In The Ethics Of 'old Fashioned' Warfaring, This Volume Considers The Extent To Which Such Theory And Practice Is Adequate To Prepare Members Of The Military To Meet The More Complex Ethical Challenges Faced When Engaging In Irregular Warfare In The 21st Century. Foreword / George R. Lucas Jr -- Introduction: Ethics Education For Irregular Warfare / Paul Robinson -- Part 1: The Theoretical Background -- Preserving Soldiers' Moral Character In Counter-insurgency Operations / H.r. Mcmaster -- The Philosophical Warrior / Alexander Moseley -- Culture Centric Warfare: The Moral Dynamics / Patrick Mileham -- Part 2: Operational Issues -- Preventing Torture In Counter-insurgency Operations / Jessica Wolfendale -- The Fall Of The Warrior King: Situational Ethics In Iraq / Paul Robinson -- Military Ethics Of Facing Fellow Citizens: Idf Preparations For Disengagement / Asa Kasher -- Part 3: Pedagogical Issues -- Teaching Military Ethics In The United States Air Force: Challenges Posed By Service Culture / Martin Cook -- Counter-insurgency Ethics At The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst / Stephen Deakin -- International Law And The Ethics Of War At The Uk Joint Services Command And Staff College / David Whetham -- Ethics Education For Operations Other Than War: The Dutch Approach / Peter Olsthoorn. Edited By Don Carrick, James Connelly, Paul Robinson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. I had stopped vomiting, but still shook and sobbed. Mom returned to the room to sit on the edge of my bed. Again she asked, "Billy what's wrong?"
"That was my bus route," I whispered when I could get words out. "What if someone I knew came to the door?"
"So?"
"They'd find out I was a Jehovah's Witness."
Mom's hand met the side of my head in a flash of brilliant white light and an explosion of pain. I collapsed onto the mattress while she flailed at me, her rage-clenched fists thudding into my eight-year-old body.
"How dare you?" she shrieked. "You awful, rotten child! How dare you be ashamed of Jehovah? I hate you! I hate you!"
The Spanking Room is the true story of a young boy's upbringing, and how the unorthodox doctrines of the Watchtower Society encourage violence against its most helpless members-the children.
Whether you are looking for specific answers or an overall understanding of Jehovah's Witness beliefs and practices, The Spanking Room delivers in a straightforward, compelling manner. Journey with little Billy Coburn as he grows up in the Watchtower Society, learn what Jehovah's Witnesses believe about God, and experience the inner workings of the Kingdom Hall through a child's-eye view. If you or someone you love is a Jehovah's Witness, this book is for you. "Kantian-inspired approaches to ethics are a hugely important part of the philosophical landscape in the 21st century, yet the lion's share of the work done in service of these approaches has been at the theoretical level. Moreover, when we survey writing in which Kantian-inspired thinkers address practical ethical problems, we do not often enough find sustained attention being paid to issues in military ethics. This collection presents a sampling of how an ethicist who takes Kantian commitments seriously addresses controversial questions in the profession of arms. It examines some of the less frequently studied topics within military ethics such as women in combat, military careerism, homosexuality, teaching bad ethics, immoral wars, collateral damage and just war theory. Presenting philosophical thinking in an easy to understand style, the volume has much to offer to a military audience"--Publisher's website Are military professionals bound by a higher moral standard? : Functionalism and its limits Women in combat : discrimination by generality Careerism in the military services : an analysis of its nature, why it is wrong and what might be done about it Homosexuality and military service : a case for abandoning "don't ask, don't tell" How to teach a bad military ethics course Should members of the military fight in immoral wars? : A case for selective conscientious objection Does the doctrine of double effect justify collateral damage? : A case for more restrictive targeting policies Just war theory : triumphant ... and doing more harm than good. Kantian-inspired approaches to ethics are a hugely important part of the philosophical landscape in the 21st century. This collection presents a sampling of how an ethicist who takes Kantian commitments seriously might address controversial questions in the profession of arms.