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Ethics Of War: Just War And Military Ethics

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Just War/ Military Ethics War can be just using Military Ethics. Even though in war people will die, war can be just using Military Ethics. Consequentialism suggests the cost, benefits and outcome outweighs the consequences to arrive at end state. War cannot be helped in certain situations no matter who starts the fight. In deontology the principles, means and rules are important to making a judgements that are ethical. Military Ethics can be defined as Utilitarianism, the Rules of Engagement or Code of Conduct for service members on how war is to be conducted, in the treatment of personnel and property. War is an unpleasant outcome no matter which side wins someone loses and lives are lost forever. . A Just War can help to bring order …show more content…

There are many objections to whether war can be just and if military ethics play a part in that war. Is this war duty-based or obligation-based? Many people do not agree with war under any circumstances because of the clear fact that people will die. A lot of people would agree with moral absolutism because they view war as wrong, moral absolutism suggests wrong is wrong no matter the consequences. If war is unnecessary then why go to war and who is qualified to determine if it’s necessary? President George Bush decided to go to war in Iraq on terrorism however, there has been many different beliefs on his reasons saying it was about economic and personal benefit. Antonia Juhasz did a special on CNN “Why the War on Iraq was fought for Big Oil” Gen. John Abizaid former head of U.S Central Command Military Operations in Iraq, in 2007 made the following statement; "Of course it's about oil; we can't really deny that,". During war military members are required to follow different rules and regulations that govern their actions however, there is always the chance rules are not followed. In past wars military members have made unethical and unmoral decisions that displayed their moral character and virtues which lead to the mistreatment of enemy forces and needless wars. Virtue ethics can be identified as the one that emphasizes the virtues, or moral character, in contrast to the approach which emphasizes duties or rules (deontology) or that which emphasizes the consequences of actions (consequentialism). (Hurthouse,

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