This volume addresses issues of larger significance to any individual preparing for a career of service to his or her country. At the core of this book is the assumption that the education of young men and women preparing for a career of public service in the military ought not to differ substantially, or in kind, from the education accorded to those preparing for careers of public service in other professions, such as medicine, law, engineering, or the clergy. Each of these activities is, of course, quite distinctive, both in the particular features characteristic of each practice, and in the unique professional and moral demands made upon those seeking to enter into these professional practices. All, however, are link as "professions" by virtue of encompassing a body of specialized knowledge, skills and practices, a unique language and set of assumptions and a moral code. In this context, military officers in service to their country, engaged in upholding and defending the universal moral values of individual liberty, justice and the rule of law, and respect for human rights, are rightly understood as "professionals", providing each is willing to understand, reflect upon, and accept the obligations of public service attendant on his or her professional service. This volume is intended to meet this goal by acquainting both senior military officers, and cadets in training, with the moral foundations of military service, with the moral principles each will be expected to uphold as a representative of their organization or service, and also with the range of moral dilemmas or conflicts each is likely to encounter in the course of his or her career.

Introduction and acknowledgments / George R. Lucas, Jr. ; Part 1: Why study ethics?: On the eve of battle / George R. Lucas, Jr. -- Excerpt from "The Republic", book 2 / Plato -- Why ethics is so hard / Thomas B. Grassey ; Part 2: The moral framework of military service: A: The relativity of moral beliefs and situations: The challenge of cultural relativism / James Rachels -- Relativism and objectivism: are there universal values? / Burton Porter -- Ethical pluralism: an alternative to objectivism and relativism / Lawrence Lengbeyer -- A higher moral standard for the military / J. Carl Ficarrotta -- Moral standards and military leadership / Leon A. Edney and Henry G. Chiles, Jr. ; Part 2: B: The U.S. Constitution and the moral foundations of military service: conflicts of principles and loyalties: The moral foundations of military service / Martin L. Cook ; Constitutional ethics / Paul E. Roush -- Letter from Birmingham City Jail / Martin Luther King, Jr. ; Part 2: C: Religion and Military Ethics: Reality check: the human and spiritual needs of soldiers and how to prepare them for combat / John W. Brinsfield -- Religion and morality: exploring the connections / Martin L. Cook -- Does morality depend on religion? / James Rachels -- A philosophical defense of divine command theory / Christopher Eberle -- Abraham's obedience tested / Genesis 22:1-12 ; Part 3: Traditions of moral reasoning in Western culture: A: Utilitarianism and the greatest good: From "Utilitarianism (1861)" / John Stuart Mill -- Utilitarianism / Louis P. Pojman -- The ones who walk away from Omelas / Ursula K. Le Guin ; Part 3: B: Kantian ethics and the basis of duty: From "Groundwork of the metaphysics of morals" / Immanuel Kant -- A simplified account of Kant's ethics / Onora O'Neill ; Part 3: C: Aristotle and the ethics of virtue and character: The moral virtues / Aristotle -- Habit and virtue / Aristotle -- Courage / Aristotle -- Friendship / Aristotle -- The warriors: reflections on men in battle / J. Glenn Gray ; Part 3: D: The tradition of natural law: From "Summa theological, ethics and natural law" / St. Thomas Aquinas -- From "The ethics of natural law" / C.E. Harris -- Natural law and the principle of double effect: six hypothetical cases / George R. Lucas, Jr. ; Part 4: The moral role of the military professional in international relations: A: The justification for going to war (jus ad bellum): Is it always sinful to wage war? / St. Thomas Aquinas -- Law and order in international society / Michael Walzer -- President Bush's graduation speech at West Point -- Wars of anticipation / Michael Walzer -- From "Jus ad bellum to jus ad pacem: re-thinking just war criteria for humanitarian ends" / George R. Lucas, Jr. -- The concept and practice of jihad in Islam / Michael G. Knapp -- Terrorism / Michael Walzer ; Part 4: B: The moral code of the warrior (jus in bello): Jus in bello: just conduct in war / Brian Orend -- The world of Achilles: ancient soldiers, modern warriors / Robert D. Kaplan -- Why warriors need a code / Shannon E. French -- Ethical issues in the use of military force for humanitarian intervention / George R. Lucas, Jr. -- Perspectives on intervention: the case of Somalia-a response to Professor Lucas / Anthony C. Zinni ; Part 5: Upholding truth, enforcing justice, defending liberty and rights: A: Liberty and rights: From "On liberty" / John Stuart Mill -- From "Reflections on the revolution in France (1790)" / Edmund Burke -- Human rights / James W. Nickel -- Paternalism / Gerald Dworkin ; Part 5: B: Justice: Justice as fairness / John Rawls -- Crime and punishment / R.A. Duff -- From "Billy Budd" / Herman Melville ; Part 5: C: Upholding the truth: When is the "whole truth" attainable? / Sissela Bok ; Part 6: Moral leaders and moral warriors: Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale and Stoic philosophy: Courage under fire / James B. Stockdale -- The Enchiridion / Epictetus -- Roman Stoicism / Shannon E. French -- A Vietnam experience, duty / James B. Stockdale -- Admiral James B. Stockdale's leadership model / Paul E. Roush ; Part 7: Epilogue: The hiding places of memory / George R. Lucas, Jr.