Overview

What significance does ""ethics"" have for the men and women serving in the military forces of nations around the world? What core values and moral principles collectively guide the members of this ""military profession?"" This book explains these essential moral foundations, along with ""just war theory,"" international relations, and international law. The ethical foundations that define the ""Profession of Arms"" have developed over millennia from the shared moral values, unique role responsibilities, and occasional reflection by individual members the profession on their own practices - eventually coming to serve as the basis for the ""Law of Armed Conflict"" itself.This book focuses upon the ordinary men and women around the world who wear a military uniform and are committed to the defense of their countries and their fellow citizens. It is about what they do, how they do it, what they think about it, how they behave when carrying out their activities, and how they are expected to behave, both on and off the battlefield (whether in, or out of, uniform) - and what everyone (and not just military personnel themselves) needs to know about this. The book also examines how military personnel are treated and regarded by those whom they have sworn to defend and protect, as well as how they treat and regard one another within their respective services and organizational settings. Finally, the book discusses the transformations in military professionalism occasioned by new developments in armed conflict, ranging counterinsurgency warfare and humanitarian military intervention, to cyber conflict, military robotics, and private military contracting. From China to Russia, author George Lucas effectively sheds light on today's military ethics in existence throughout the world. What Everyone Needs to Know® is a registered trademark of Oxford University Press.

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9780199336883

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Reviews

George Lucas offers a clear picture of what we should expect from our military forces Steve Craggs, Northern Echo

morality and mortal combat get paired up in this highly readable academic argument for fair play on the modern battlefield History of War George Lucas offers a clear picture of what we should expect from our military forces Steve Craggs, Northern Echo

Professor Lucas has constructed a gem of a book. It is a true innovation in the complex and challenging field of military ethics. His approach is engaging and unique in that he tackles the major themes through a process of incisive questions and comprehensive answers. His analysis of the issues ranges from the influence of the Greeks, just war theory, St Thomas Aquinas and Kant through to the contemporary challenges of private security contractors, drones, cyber and robotics. Highly recommended for field commanders, military educators and general readers alike. --Jamie Cullens, Colonel, ADF (retired) and Director, Centre for Defence Leadership and Ethics, Australian Defence College, Canberra George Lucas, in Military Ethics: What Everyone Needs to Know, offers us an excellent, compact, and highly-readable account. Interest in military ethics has exploded in recent years, and Lucas here constructs a masterful introduction which is both easy-to-read and filled with helpful real-world examples. In the first part, he details the foundations of professional military ethics, which range from ancient custom through just war theory and into international law. In the second, Lucas applies the established practices of military ethics to such cutting-edge issues as: private security companies; drones; cyber-warfare; and using military force in aid of humanitarian crises. Highly recommended for anyone interested in professional military ethics. --Brian Orend, author of The Morality of War With scholarly erudition and a deep understanding of the military milieu, Professor Lucas explores the myriad ethical challenges facing soldiers and provides a clear basis for how to think about them. This work takes on ancient issues of just war theory as well as challenges presented by emerging technologies. It should be required reading for all, military and civilian alike. --Major General Robert H. Latiff, Ph.D. (US Air Force, retired) and Research Professor and Director of the Intelligence and Security Research Center at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia George Lucas has written the ideal introduction to military ethics. The book that is engaging, comprehensive, and deeply erudite. From ancient sources to the battlefield frontiers of military robots and cyber-war, Lucas ranges across different traditions and historical periods to shows how we can make sense of the ethical problems of war. Whether citizen or serviceman, the need to reflect on the ethics of military action has never been greater. This is the perfect guide. --David Rodin, Co-Director and Senior Research Fellow, Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict, University of Oxford

George Lucas offers a clear picture of what we should expect from our military forces * Steve Craggs, Northern Echo * morality and mortal combat get paired up in this highly readable academic argument for fair play on the modern battlefield * History of War *

Author Information

George Lucas is Professor Emeritus, and formerly held the Distinguished Chair in Ethics at the U.S. Naval Academy. He is currently President of the original chapter of the International Society for Military Ethics (ISME), and editor of the new Routledge Handbook of Military Ethics (2015), containing contributions from military leaders and civilian scholars and educators around the world. He is currently Visiting Distinguished Research Professor at the Reilly Center for Science, Technology and Values at Notre Dame University, and a visiting fellow in the Inamouri Center for Ethics at Case Western University.

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