Ethics & Ethical Failure in the Profession of Arms, with Dr. Pauline Shanks-Kaurin - on Midrats

this isn't supposed to be easy or comfortable

Law. Ethics. Morality. Character.

What do these words mean, and why are they important in the profession of arms?

That is the subject of this week’s Midrats that you don’t want to miss.

We have just the right person to dig in to this topic, returning to Midrats, Dr. Pauline Shanks-Kaurin.

Professor Shanks-Kaurin is the Admiral James B. Stockdale Chair in Professional Military Ethics at the Naval War College. She holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Temple University and specializes in military ethics, “just war theory” and philosophy of law and applied ethics. She is author of “On Obedience: Contrasting Philosophies for Military, Community, and Citizenry” and “Achilles Goes Asymmetrical: The Warrior, Military Ethics and Contemporary Warfare.” She served as a contributor for The Strategy Bridge and has published in War on the Rocks, Real Clear Defense, The Wavell Room, Grounded Curiosity, Newsweek and Just Security.

You can listen here or at the below.

Showlinks:

• Reviewing The Character Gap: 2021 review at The Strategy Bridge of, The Character Gap: How Good Are We?, by Christian B. Miller.

• The Smartest Guys in the Room.

• Ethics: Starting at the Beginning: 2018 article in The Wavell Room.

• High Noon.

• The Cruel Sea.

• Dereliction of Duty: Johnson, McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies That Led to Vietnam

• Fat Leonard: How One Man Bribed, Bilked, and Seduced the U.S. Navy

• With the Old Breed

• My Helmet for a Pillow

• Why Military Honor?

Summary

In this conversation, Sal, EagleOne and Pauline discuss ethics and ethical failures in the profession of arms. They explore the concepts of law, morality, and ethics, and how they are interconnected. They also delve into the challenges of navigating ethical differences in a global context and the importance of intellectual humility and curiosity. The conversation touches on the role of institutions in developing an ethical core and the need for reflection and course correction. They also discuss the relationship between character and ethics, emphasizing the importance of character development within communities and institutions. The conversation explores the intersection of ethics and leadership in the military. It delves into the different moral perspectives and how they can come into conflict with each other. The discussion also touches on the challenges of practicing moral courage and ethical leadership within institutions. The importance of self-reflection and challenging assumptions is emphasized. The conversation concludes with a mention of ongoing ethical issues in the profession of arms, such as the use of technology in warfare and the tension between technological advancements and the human element.

Takeaways

• Ethics is the study of or reflection upon moral claims, while morality is any kind of claim about what's right or wrong.

• Differences in morality are a feature of humanity, and intellectual humility and curiosity are important when engaging with moral differences.

• Institutions have their own ethical culture, and it is important for individuals within those institutions to be reflective, critical, and willing to engage in conversations about moral questions.

• Character is not solely an individual accomplishment or failing, but is shaped by families, communities, and institutions.

• Ethical failures can occur at both the individual and institutional levels, and it is important for institutions to embody their stated values.

• The development of character and ethical behavior requires ongoing reflection, conversation, and course correction. Different moral perspectives can come into conflict with each other, leading to ethical dilemmas.

• Practicing moral courage and ethical leadership is essential within institutions.

• Self-reflection and challenging assumptions are crucial for ethical decision-making.

• Ongoing ethical issues in the profession of arms include the use of technology in warfare and the tension between technological advancements and the human element.

Sound Bites

• "You have this interplay of what's the law, what is ethics, and what is morality."

• "Differences in morality are a feature of humanity, not a bug."

• "Intellectual humility and curiosity are important when engaging with moral differences."

Chapters

00:00: Exploring the Interplay of Law, Morality, and Ethics

11:19: Navigating Ethical Differences in a Global Context

29:00: Character Development within Communities and Institutions

35:24: The Clash of Moral Perspectives

44:25: Addressing Ethical Issues: Informal and Formal Approaches

50:38: Ethical Failure and the Need for Moral Courage

59:39: Ethics in the Profession of Arms: Technology and the Human Element