Meditations on moral autonomy and the military

The current model of moral education for the military is one that features indoctrination and narrative as well as instrumental methods that reach for inadequate goals. While the military is comfortable with its model based on authority and oversimplified methods, I argue that the military should move toward a model of moral autonomy that emphasizes philosophical ethics yet still is compatible with good order and discipline. Drawing upon and extending the ethical theories of Kant, Dewey, and Rawls, I argue for an original set of moral principles to guide ethical action on the battlefield and argue that the military should seek a new moral end while exercising sound moral methods. The present model of moral education for military ethics should be revised, a model that has caused demonstrable and significant moral error---through unreflective moral doctrines (chapter two), instrumental means (chapter three), inadequate ends (chapter four)---and moral education for military ethics would be enhanced by moving toward a philosophical model of autonomy (chapter five).