June 11, 2010
Moral Methodologies, Military Spec
If morality were only about rules then our conceptions of the Deity would become the equivalent of a giant computer in the sky. But morality is both about rules and about judging things for oneself. Thus it gets tricky when trying to train people to be responsible moral agents. Dick Couch has the right idea that more training in moral decision-making should be provided to our uniformed military personnel — and particularly to elite special forces — but how best to do that remains, I think, an open question. It was an honor and a pleasure to talk with Dick, and I much appreciate his willingness to put up with my grouchy questions. Total runtime fifty five minutes. Nosce te ipsum.
Comments
At one point the guest was dismissive of the combat role of women in Iraq and Afghanistan as being inconsequential or negligible or somehow not there at all.
I have been very enthusiastic in telling readers about the documentary film "Lioness" which explores the first women combat unit in US history. But I am not surprised that Crouch did not know much about it.
Here is the reference:
http://www.lionessthefilm.com/
While not specifically on the subject of military ethics by Seals and whatnot, the Lioness unit is unique and this is their story before during and after combat.
Slightly related is the guest's use of the word "warrior" to characterize members of our current military. This is new and it is standard practice within the military. The fact that it is new is not a good. As US soldiers defending democracy the substitute term "warrior" is an heroic appellation emphasizing war rather than service.
George, I did not think you grouchy during this segment. As a matter of fact you seemed to show considerable restraint with regard to the guest repeating the narrative of a few bad apples at sites of torture.
[Thanks, Lon. g.]
Posted by: Lon C Ponschock | June 11, 2010 5:06 PM